Practical Design Considerations for Lightweight Channels under Combined Compression, Major and Minor Axis Bending

Abstract

The paper examines the behavior of lightweight channels under combinations of axial compression, major and minor axis bending. Design guidelines are proposed that can be used by practicing engineers to maximize the channel section performance. Results are presented showing the design space of several North American standard cold-formed steel sections subjected to this load combination. A three-dimensional multistory building model is used to demonstrate cost-effective design strategies that cope with challenges encountered in practice. The influence of the flange, web size, and section thickness on the ultimate strength and serviceability of the channel section are also highlighted. The study leads to significant guidelines that can be used by practicing engineers and steel fabricators in order to optimize the section sizes under this load combination.