Bracing Demand in Axially Loaded Cold-Formed Steel Stud Walls

Abstract

The problem of determining adequate bracing for multiple studs in a wall with similar imperfections is addressed. Previous studies have determined the necessary brace strength and stiffness required to adequately brace a single axially loaded cold-formed steel stud and this information has been incorporated into design standards. Using elastic nonlinear frame analysis software, the required bracing strength and stiffness demand for a single compression member that was derived by Winter and recommended by previous studies was replicated. The model was then expanded to include walls with up to 30 studs, braced at both the midpoint and third point. For these models the required brace stiffness and the resulting brace forces were recorded and compared to the requirements for a single stud. Analysis of the data indicates that the required brace strength accumulates directly as to the number of braced studs. The required brace stiffness for bracing multiple studs may be determined through the use of a simple second-order equation.