Os perfis de aço formados a frio apresentam, em geral, maior esbeltez local (relação largura-espessura dos elementos) em relação aos clássicos perfis laminados, acentuando a instabilidade local. Além disso, em se tratando de seções abertas com paredes muito delgadas, a rigidez à torção resulta muito pequena, o que torna os modos globais de torção e flexo-torção muitas vezes dominantes em relação aos modos de flexão. Outro modo de instabilidade que pode se manifestar é o modo distorcional, característico nos perfis com enrijecedores de borda. Com relação à análise do modo global, as normas para cálculo de perfis formados a frio têm adotado as mesmas curvas de resistência à compressão desenvolvidas para os perfis laminados e soldados, como a curva do SSRC (Structural Stability Research Council), adotada pela NAS (North American Specification), e as curvas européias, adotadas pela norma brasileira. Embora alguns estudos indiquem que as citadas curvas sejam aceitáveis para os perfis formados a frio, há também referências explícitas quanto à necessidade de um maior aprofundamento na investigação sobre o comportamento estrutural destes perfis, uma vez que apresentam particularidades quanto às tensões residuais, imperfeições geométricas e interação entre modos de instabilidade. Nesse trabalho é apresentada uma análise experimental em perfis usualmente empregados no Brasil (perfis U, U enrijecidos e cantoneiras simples e duplas), e uma estratégia de análise numérica não-linear, considerando os efeitos das imperfeições geométricas globais e localizadas (de chapa e distorcional), bem como das tensões residuais, de modo a se obter teoricamente um valor confiável da força normal de compressão resistente da barra. Os resultados permitiram constatar a viabilidade do emprego das atuais curvas de resistência à compressão para os perfis formados a frio. Complementando, foi analisada a aplicação do método da resistência direta (MRD) a todos os perfis estudados, confirmando bons resultados. Especial atenção foi dada ao estudo da estabilidade elástica de cantoneiras, com foco principal na coincidência entre o modo local-chapa e o modo global-torsional, o que tem gerado controvérsias na aplicação dos métodos de cálculo. Além disso, como as cantoneiras não são pré-qualificadas para aplicação do MRD, foram analisadas várias opções para emprego do método, onde pode-se concluir que desconsiderar a torção na análise do modo global conduz a resultados contra a segurança / Cold-formed steel members present, in general, higher local slenderness than classical hot- rolled ones, which make them more prone to local buckling. Besides, thin-walled open sections have small torsional stiffness, and hence global torsional and flexural-torsional instability modes are many times more critical than global flexural ones. Also, distortional mode can happen in sections with lips (edge stiffener). Concerning on global buckling for members under compression, curves used in cold-formed steel design are based on hot-rolled and welded members. For example, the SSRC (Structural Stability Research Council) buckling curve, adopted by NAS (North American Specification), and Eurocode buckling curves, adopted by brazilian codes. Although some papers indicate these curves are acceptable for cold-formed steel members, others claim for a deeper analysis on their unique structural behavior, specially on residual stress, geometric imperfections and coupled buckling modes. It is presented in this thesis an experimental analysis of sections usually used in Brazil (simple and lipped channels, and also single and built-up angles). Moreover, it is developed a strategy for numerical non-linear analysis, considering the effects of global and local (also distortional) geometric imperfections and residual stress as well, in order to obtain a trustable theoretical value for the axial member stength. Results show the viability of the current buckling curves for cold-formed steel members. Finally, direct strength method (DSM) was analysed for all studied members, showing good results. Special attention to angle’s elastic stability, focusing on the coincidence between local-plate and global-torsional mode, which still causes confusion in design methods. Also, due to the fact angles are not pre- qualified sections for using DSM, many options on its application were studied, where it was concluded that negleting torsion in global analysis leeds to unconservative results

In recent times, light gauge cold-formed steel sections have been used extensively in residential, industrial and commercial buildings as primary load bearing structural components. This is because cold-formed steel sections have a very high strength to weight ratio compared with thicker hot-rolled steel sections, and their manufacturing process is simple and cost-effective. However, these members are susceptible to various buckling modes including local and distortional buckling and their ultimate strength behaviour is governed by these buckling modes. Fire safety design of building structures has received greater attention in recent times due to continuing loss of properties and lives during fires. Hence, there is a need to fully evaluate the performance of light gauge cold-formed steel structures under fire conditions. Past fire research has focused heavily on heavier, hot-rolled steel members. The buckling behaviour of light gauge cold-formed steel members under fire conditions is not well understood. The buckling effects associated with thin steels are significant and have to be taken into account in fire safety design. Therefore, a research project based on extensive experimental and numerical studies was undertaken at the Queensland University of Technology to investigate the distortional buckling behaviour of light gauge cold-formed steel compression members under simulated fire conditions. As the first phase of this research program more than 115 tensile coupon tests of light gauge cold-formed steels including two steel grades and five thicknesses were conducted at elevated temperatures. Accurate mechanical properties including the yield strength, elasticity modulus and stress-strain curves were all determined at elevated temperatures since the deterioration of the mechanical properties is one of the major parameters in the structural design under fire conditions. An appropriate stress-strain model was also developed by considering the inelastic characteristics. The results obtained from the tensile coupon tests were then used to predict the ultimate strength of cold-formed steel compression members. In the second phase of this research more than 170 laboratory experiments were undertaken to investigate the distortional buckling behaviour of light gauge coldformed steel compression members at ambient and elevated temperatures. Two types of cross sections were selected with various thicknesses (nominal thicknesses are 0.6, 0.8, and 0.95 mm) and both low and high strength steels (G250 and G550 steels with minimum yield strengths of 250 and 550 MPa). The experiments were conducted at six different temperatures in the range of 20 to 800°C. A finite element model of the tested compression members was then developed and validated with the help of experimental results. The degradation of mechanical properties with increasing temperatures was included in finite element analyses. An extensive series of parametric analyses was undertaken using the validated finite element model to investigate the effect of all the influential parameters such as section geometry, steel thickness and grade, mechanical properties and temperature. The resulting large data base of ultimate loads of compression members subject to distortional buckling was then used to review the adequacy of the current design rules at ambient temperature. The current design rules were reasonably accurate in general, but in order to improve the accuracy further, this research has developed new design equations to determine the ultimate loads of compression members at ambient temperature. The developed equation was then simply modified by including the relevant mechanical properties at elevated temperatures. It was found that this simple modification based on reduced mechanical properties gave reasonable results, but not at higher temperatures. Therefore, they were further modified to obtain a more accurate design equation at elevated temperatures. The accuracy of new design rules was then verified by comparing their predictions with the results obtained from the parametric study. This thesis presents a description of the experimental and numerical studies undertaken in this research and the results including comparison with simply modified current design rules. It describes the laboratory experiments at ambient and elevated temperatures. It also describes the finite element models of cold-formed steel compression members developed in this research that included the appropriate mechanical properties, initial geometric imperfections and residual stresses. Finally, it presents the details of the new design equations proposed for the light gauge coldformed steel compression members subjected to distortional buckling effects at elevated temperatures.

Cold-formed steel members have been widely used in residential, industrial and commercial buildings as primary load bearing structural elements and non-load bearing structural elements (partitions) due to their advantages such as higher strength to weight ratio over the other structural materials such as hot-rolled steel, timber and concrete. Cold-formed steel members are often made from thin steel sheets and hence they are more susceptible to various buckling modes. Generally short columns are susceptible to local or distortional buckling while long columns to flexural or flexural-torsional buckling. Fire safety design of building structures is an essential requirement as fire events can cause loss of property and lives. Therefore it is essential to understand the fire performance of light gauge cold-formed steel structures under fire conditions. The buckling behaviour of cold-formed steel compression members under fire conditions is not well investigated yet and hence there is a lack of knowledge on the fire performance of cold-formed steel compression members. Current cold-formed steel design standards do not provide adequate design guidelines for the fire design of cold-formed steel compression members. Therefore a research project based on extensive experimental and numerical studies was undertaken at the Queensland University of Technology to investigate the buckling behaviour of light gauge cold-formed steel compression members under simulated fire conditions. As the first phase of this research, a detailed review was undertaken on the mechanical properties of light gauge cold-formed steels at elevated temperatures and the most reliable predictive models for mechanical properties and stress-strain models based on detailed experimental investigations were identified. Their accuracy was verified experimentally by carrying out a series of tensile coupon tests at ambient and elevated temperatures. As the second phase of this research, local buckling behaviour was investigated based on the experimental and numerical investigations at ambient and elevated temperatures. First a series of 91 local buckling tests was carried out at ambient and elevated temperatures on lipped and unlipped channels made of G250-0.95, G550-0.95, G250-1.95 and G450-1.90 cold-formed steels. Suitable finite element models were then developed to simulate the experimental conditions. These models were converted to ideal finite element models to undertake detailed parametric study. Finally all the ultimate load capacity results for local buckling were compared with the available design methods based on AS/NZS 4600, BS 5950 Part 5, Eurocode 3 Part 1.2 and the direct strength method (DSM), and suitable recommendations were made for the fire design of cold-formed steel compression members subject to local buckling. As the third phase of this research, flexural-torsional buckling behaviour was investigated experimentally and numerically. Two series of 39 flexural-torsional buckling tests were undertaken at ambient and elevated temperatures. The first series consisted 2800 mm long columns of G550-0.95, G250-1.95 and G450-1.90 cold-formed steel lipped channel columns while the second series contained 1800 mm long lipped channel columns of the same steel thickness and strength grades. All the experimental tests were simulated using a suitable finite element model, and the same model was used in a detailed parametric study following validation. Based on the comparison of results from the experimental and parametric studies with the available design methods, suitable design recommendations were made. This thesis presents a detailed description of the experimental and numerical studies undertaken on the mechanical properties and the local and flexural-torsional bucking behaviour of cold-formed steel compression member at ambient and elevated temperatures. It also describes the currently available ambient temperature design methods and their accuracy when used for fire design with appropriately reduced mechanical properties at elevated temperatures. Available fire design methods are also included and their accuracy in predicting the ultimate load capacity at elevated temperatures was investigated. This research has shown that the current ambient temperature design methods are capable of predicting the local and flexural-torsional buckling capacities of cold-formed steel compression members at elevated temperatures with the use of reduced mechanical properties. However, the elevated temperature design method in Eurocode 3 Part 1.2 is overly conservative and hence unsuitable, particularly in the case of flexural-torsional buckling at elevated temperatures.

Para o projeto de estruturas com perfis de aço formados a frio, é fundamental a compreensão dos fenômenos da instabilidade local e global, uma vez que estes apresentam alta esbeltez e baixa rigidez à torção. A determinação do carregamento crítico e a identificação do modo de instabilidade contribuem para o entendimento do comportamento dessas estruturas. Este trabalho avalia três metodologias para a análise linear de estabilidade de perfis de aço formados a frio isolados, com o objetivo de determinar os carregamentos críticos elásticos de bifurcação e os modos de instabilidade associados. Estritamente, analisa-se perfis de seção U enrijecido e Z enrijecido isolados, de diversos comprimentos e diferentes condições de vinculação e carregamento. Determinam-se os carregamentos críticos elásticos de bifurcação e os modos de instabilidade globais e locais por meio de: (i) análise com o Método das Faixas Finitas (MFF), através do uso do programa computacional CUFSM; (ii) análise com elementos finitos de barra baseados na Teoria Generalizada de Vigas (MEF-GBT), via uso do programa GBTUL; e (iii) análise com elementos finitos de casca (MEF-cascas) por meio do uso do programa ABAQUS. Algumas restrições e ressalvas com relação ao uso do MFF são apresentadas, assim como limitações da Teoria Generalizada de Viga e precauções a serem tomadas nos modelos de cascas. Analisa-se também a influência do grau de discretização da seção transversal. No entanto, não é feita avaliação em relação aos procedimentos normativos e tampouco análises não lineares, considerando as imperfeições geométricas iniciais, tensões residuais e o comportamento elastoplástico do material. / For the design of cold formed steel members, it is essential to understand the effects of local and global instability, since these members typically have a high slenderness and low torsion stiffness. The determination of critical loads and the associated buckling modes contribute to understand the behavior of these members. This work performs a evaluation of three methods for linear stability analysis of isolated cold-formed steel members in order to determine the elastic critical loads and the corresponding buckling modes. Specifically, Ue and Ze shape members were studied with various length, different boundary conditions and loads. The elastic critical loads and buckling modes are determined by means of: (i) analysis with the Finite Strip Method (FSM), by the computer program CUFSM, (ii) beam finite element analysis based on the Generalized Beam Theory (FEM-GBT), by GBTUL program, and (iii) Finite Element Method with shell analysis using ABAQUS program. Some restrictions and warnings regarding the use of the FSM are presented, as well as limitations of the Generalized Beam Theory and precautions to be taken in the shell models. It is also analyzed the influence of the degree of discretization of the cross section. In the present study, no evaluation was made with respect to normative procedures neither nonlinear analyses considering the initial geometric imperfections, residual stresses and elastoplastic behavior of the material.

A utilização de aços de alta resistência em terças formadas a frio faz com que as espessuras sejam cada vez mais reduzidas e, como consequência, os fenômenos de instabilidade mais pronunciados. Para melhorar a eficiência estrutural, enrijecedores longitudinais podem ser inseridos na alma, aumentando a resistência em relação ao modo de instabilidade local. Ainda que a utilização de seções com alma enrijecida seja uma prática comum, os procedimentos adequados para seu dimensionamento são pouco abordados na literatura. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar o comportamento estrutural de terças formadas a frio de seção transversal ZAE, com enrijecedores de borda a 90º e dois enrijecedores longitudinais na alma. Para tanto, foram realizadas análises teórica e experimental de um conjunto formado por terças com alma enrijecida ZAE e suas equivalentes de alma plana, as seções Z com enrijecedores de borda a 90°. Apesar de ter sido dada ênfase às solicitações por força cortante e por combinação de momento fletor e força cortante, foram realizados ensaios complementares para avaliar a predominância de momento fletor. As alterações nos esforços críticos elásticos devido à presença dos enrijecedores foram analisadas teoricamente, e os dados experimentais e numéricos foram utilizados para prever a interação. Os resultados teóricos indicaram que os enrijecedores longitudinais têm pequena influência nos modos de instabilidade distorcional e global, porém grande influência no modo local, promovendo um aumento significativo das tensões críticas em relação às seções correspondentes de alma plana. Já os resultados experimentais mostraram que a capacidade resistente das seções Z foi superior a das seções ZAE, devido principalmente à mobilização do campo de tração e à maior restrição rotacional da mesa conferida pela ligação. Os protótipos sem restrição à distorção apresentaram falha prematura, ocasionada pela rotação da mesa na região dos apoios. Considerando os protótipos com restrição à distorção, os resultados atenderam às curvas de interação circular e trilinear. Concluiu-se que o projeto de terças com alma enrijecida pode ser realizado utilizando a expressão de interação trilinear e o momento fletor resistente do modo distorcional. / The use of high strength steel in cold-formed purlins leads to a reduction in thickness and, as a consequence, the instability becomes more significant. In order to improve the structural efficiency of the sections, longitudinal stiffeners can be inserted into the web, increasing the strength in relation to local buckling. Although the use of sections with stiffened web is a common practice, the appropriate procedures for design are rarely discussed in scientific literature. The purpose of this work was to study the structural behavior of cold-formed steel purlins ZAE-sections, with 90º lips and two longitudinal stiffeners in the web. Therefore, theoretical and experimental analyses were performed, involving a set of purlins with stiffened web ZAE-sections and their equivalent plain web, the Z-sections with 90º lips. Although emphasis was given in shear and combined bending and shear, additional experimental tests were performed to evaluate the predominance of bending. Changes in critical elastic buckling stresses due to longitudinal stiffeners were evaluated and experimental and numerical data were used to predict the interation. Theoretical results indicated that longitudinal stiffeners of the ZAE-sections have little influence on distortional and global buckling. However, it has a great influence on local buckling, promoting a significant increase of the critical stresses in relation to the Z-sections. Experimental results showed that the ultimate strength of the Z-sections was higher than ZAE-sections, mainly due to the development of tension field action and the rotational restraint of the web conferred by the connection. The prototypes without distortion restraint presented premature failure, caused by rotation of the web in the region of the supports. Considering the distortion-constrained prototypes, the results satisfied the \"circular\" and \"trilinear\" interaction curves. It was concluded that design of purlins with stiffened web can be performed using the \"trilinear\" interaction expression and the distortional buckling moment capacity.

Atualmente, dentre os perfis de aço formados a frio (PFF) mais utilizados em sistemas estruturais correntes, merecem destaque aqueles compostos por duas cantoneiras ligadas entre si por meio de presilhas, apresentando seção na forma de \"T\". Embora tenha utilização bastante difundida, pouco se sabe sobre o comportamento estrutural deste tipo de perfil, principalmente em relação aos modos de instabilidade a ele associados. No presente trabalho, são desenvolvidos, com base em ferramentas disponibilizadas no código computacional ANSYS, modelos numéricos em elementos finitos com a finalidade de se investigar o comportamento estrutural dos referidos perfis submetidos à compressão e, com isso, contribuir para futuras revisões nas especificações da ABNT NBR 14762:2010 referentes aos PFF compostos. Por meio de análises não-lineares, foi investigada a influência de diversos fatores na resposta estrutural dos perfis, como: a forma de introdução do carregamento (compressão centrada ou excêntrica), as condições de vinculação, a esbeltez global, as imperfeições geométricas iniciais, a espessura das cantoneiras e o número de presilhas. Os resultados numéricos indicam que os valores de força normal de compressão resistente, obtidos conforme a ABNT NBR 14762:2010, podem resultar bastantes conservadores, principalmente nos casos de menor esbeltez global. Adicionalmente, a quantidade e a distribuição das presilhas se mostram bastante influentes, tanto na capacidade resistente como nos modos de instabilidade predominantes dos perfis. Por fim, o trabalho prevê uma investigação introdutória sobre os perfis dupla cantoneira sob temperaturas elevadas, a fim de se verificar, em caráter exploratório, o seu desempenho em situação de incêndio. As análises termoestruturais realizadas apresentaram como resultado tempos de resistência ao fogo bem abaixo do valor mínimo especificado pela ABNT NBR 14432:2001, apontando à necessidade do uso de revestimento térmico nesses perfis e de estudos mais aprofundados sobre o assunto. / Nowadays, among cold-formed steel members (PFF) commonly used in current structural systems, deserve to be highlighted those composed by two angles connected through intermediate fastener (stitch-fillers) forming a \"T\" section. Although its widespread use, little is known about its structural behavior, especially in what concerns instability modes. In this study, based on tools available on the ANSYS code, numerical finite element models were developed in order to investigate the structural behavior of these profiles under compression to contribute to future revisions of the ABNT NBR 14762:2010 specifications regarding PFF compounds. By using non-linear analysis, we investigated the influence of various factors in the structural response, namely, the loading introduction (compression-centric or eccentric), the boundary conditions, the global slenderness, the geometric imperfections, the angle thickness and the number stitch-fillers. The numerical results indicated that the compression resistance, obtained according to ABNT NBR 14762:2010, it is quite conservative, especially in cases of small global slenderness. Additionally, the stitch-fillers distribution proved its great influence both in the bearing capacity as in the determination of the instability modes. Finally, the study makes an introductory research on double angle profiles under high temperatures, in order to verify its performance under fire. The thermal analysis showed fire resistance results inferior to the minimum specified by ABNT NBR 14432:2001, indicating the need of using fire protection and further studies this subject.

Aparentemente, a análise estrutural de uma cantoneira simples submetida à compressão constitui um problema elementar e, portanto, já largamente conhecido. Entretanto, as cantoneiras formadas a frio, em geral com paredes delgadas (elevadas relações largura/espessura), apresentam dois modos críticos de instabilidade: (i) modo global de flexão, no caso de barras longas, e um modo coincidente local-chapa/global de flexo-torção, que é crítico para barras de menor comprimento. Embora existam procedimentos simplificados de cálculo, recomendados pelas normas, a consideração do modo de flexo-torção é controversa entre pesquisadores. Alguns trabalhos recentes indicam que é conservador considerar o modo de flexo-torção no cálculo da força normal resistente, enquanto outros trabalhos apontam para a necessidade dessa abordagem. Nesse trabalho é investigada a resposta estrutural de cantoneiras simples e enrijecida submetidas à compressão centrada e excêntrica, por meio de análise experimental e de análise numérica não-linear via elementos finitos, sendo avaliado o efeito das imperfeições geométricas iniciais na força normal resistente; também são avaliados os resultados provenientes dos procedimentos normativos: (i) o clássico método das larguras efetivas e (ii) o método da resistência direta (MRD), em que as cantoneiras não são relacionadas como perfis pré-qualificados. Os resultados da análise experimental e da análise numérica não-linear com imperfeições geométricas iniciais indicam a necessidade da consideração do modo de flexo-torção. / Apparently, the structural analysis of a simple angle under compression is an elementary problem, therefore, already largely known. However, cold-formed steel angles, mostly with slender legs, present two critical buckling modes: (i) global-flexural mode, in cases of high length members, (ii) and a coincident local-plate/global-torsional-flexural mode, which is critical for short length members. Although simplified design procedures exist, recommended by specifications, the consideration of the torsional-flexural mode is controversial among researchers. A few recent papers indicate that considering the torsional-flexural mode is conservative, while other papers point to the necessity of this approach. This work investigates the structural response of simple and lipped angles under concentrically and eccentrically compression, by means of tests and nonlinear finite element analysis, being evaluated the effect of initial geometric imperfections; also evaluating the results from design procedures: (i) the classic effective width method and (ii) the direct strength method (DSM), where the angles are not pre-qualified shapes. The results of the experimental and nonlinear numerical analysis with initial imperfections indicate the necessity of considering the torsional-flexural mode.

Os perfis de aço formados a frio apresentam, em geral, maior esbeltez local (relação largura-espessura dos elementos) em relação aos clássicos perfis laminados, acentuando a instabilidade local. Além disso, em se tratando de seções abertas com paredes muito delgadas, a rigidez à torção resulta muito pequena, o que torna os modos globais de torção e flexo-torção muitas vezes dominantes em relação aos modos de flexão. Outro modo de instabilidade que pode se manifestar é o modo distorcional, característico nos perfis com enrijecedores de borda. Com relação à análise do modo global, as normas para cálculo de perfis formados a frio têm adotado as mesmas curvas de resistência à compressão desenvolvidas para os perfis laminados e soldados, como a curva do SSRC (Structural Stability Research Council), adotada pela NAS (North American Specification), e as curvas européias, adotadas pela norma brasileira. Embora alguns estudos indiquem que as citadas curvas sejam aceitáveis para os perfis formados a frio, há também referências explícitas quanto à necessidade de um maior aprofundamento na investigação sobre o comportamento estrutural destes perfis, uma vez que apresentam particularidades quanto às tensões residuais, imperfeições geométricas e interação entre modos de instabilidade. Nesse trabalho é apresentada uma análise experimental em perfis usualmente empregados no Brasil (perfis U, U enrijecidos e cantoneiras simples e duplas), e uma estratégia de análise numérica não-linear, considerando os efeitos das imperfeições geométricas globais e localizadas (de chapa e distorcional), bem como das tensões residuais, de modo a se obter teoricamente um valor confiável da força normal de compressão resistente da barra. Os resultados permitiram constatar a viabilidade do emprego das atuais curvas de resistência à compressão para os perfis formados a frio. Complementando, foi analisada a aplicação do método da resistência direta (MRD) a todos os perfis estudados, confirmando bons resultados. Especial atenção foi dada ao estudo da estabilidade elástica de cantoneiras, com foco principal na coincidência entre o modo local-chapa e o modo global-torsional, o que tem gerado controvérsias na aplicação dos métodos de cálculo. Além disso, como as cantoneiras não são pré-qualificadas para aplicação do MRD, foram analisadas várias opções para emprego do método, onde pode-se concluir que desconsiderar a torção na análise do modo global conduz a resultados contra a segurança / Cold-formed steel members present, in general, higher local slenderness than classical hot- rolled ones, which make them more prone to local buckling. Besides, thin-walled open sections have small torsional stiffness, and hence global torsional and flexural-torsional instability modes are many times more critical than global flexural ones. Also, distortional mode can happen in sections with lips (edge stiffener). Concerning on global buckling for members under compression, curves used in cold-formed steel design are based on hot-rolled and welded members. For example, the SSRC (Structural Stability Research Council) buckling curve, adopted by NAS (North American Specification), and Eurocode buckling curves, adopted by brazilian codes. Although some papers indicate these curves are acceptable for cold-formed steel members, others claim for a deeper analysis on their unique structural behavior, specially on residual stress, geometric imperfections and coupled buckling modes. It is presented in this thesis an experimental analysis of sections usually used in Brazil (simple and lipped channels, and also single and built-up angles). Moreover, it is developed a strategy for numerical non-linear analysis, considering the effects of global and local (also distortional) geometric imperfections and residual stress as well, in order to obtain a trustable theoretical value for the axial member stength. Results show the viability of the current buckling curves for cold-formed steel members. Finally, direct strength method (DSM) was analysed for all studied members, showing good results. Special attention to angle’s elastic stability, focusing on the coincidence between local-plate and global-torsional mode, which still causes confusion in design methods. Also, due to the fact angles are not pre- qualified sections for using DSM, many options on its application were studied, where it was concluded that negleting torsion in global analysis leeds to unconservative results

Industrial steel storage racks are pre-engineered lightweight structures commonly used to store goods from supermarkets to big warehouses. These systems are framed structures, usually made of cold-formed steel profiles and characterised by non-standard details. Their performance is quite complex and the prediction of their global response is more difficult than for the traditional steel frames. This difficulty is due to the racks’ main features: the use of cold-formed thin-walled steel sections which are sensitive to different buckling modes, the presence of regular perforation patterns on the uprights, the highly non-linear behaviour of joints, the influence of the structural imperfections and the significant frame sensitivity to second order effects. The behaviour of racks becomes even more complex when seismic or accidental events induce significant horizontal forces acting on the structures. The complexity and variability that characterise racks make it difficult to identify general design solutions. Hence, racks design is traditionally carried out by using the “design by testing” approach, which requires the experimental characterisation of the main structural components, of the joints and the sub-assemblies. The complexity of the racks also affects their numerical modelling, which results in complex analyses that must take into account all the aforementioned features. The work presented in this thesis focuses on the study of a typical steel pallet rack, identified as case study. The research aims to contribute to building up a comprehensive knowledge of the response of both the main rack components and of the whole structure. The main rack components were first individually studied. The behaviour of the uprights, of the base-plate joints and of the beam-to-column joints was experimentally investigated. The experimental data were then taken as reference for the calibration of FE models that enabled exploring each component’s performance. These models were then incorporated into the whole rack model. The response of the uprights was first investigated through stub column tests. The non-negligible interaction between axial force and bending moment of the upright response was then experimentally and numerically analysed to define the M-N domains. In addition, the rules provided by different European standards for the design of isolated members subjected to combined axial load and bending moment were considered and critically compared, identifying the main critical issues of the different design approaches. Although the contribution of joints on the rack global response is of paramount importance, to date, the knowledge is quite limited. In particular, the experimental studies of the behaviour of base-plate joints are still rather modest, especially for the cyclic range. Therefore, an experimental campaign on the rack base-plate joints was carried out: three levels of axial load were considered and the response in both the down-aisle and the cross-aisle direction was investigated under monotonic and cyclic loadings. Similarly, the beam-to-column joint was tested both monotonically and cyclically, taking into account its non-symmetric behaviour. Numerical models for both joint types were developed and validated enabling the characterisation of joints in the monotonic and cyclic range. This in-depth knowledge of the response of individual components facilitated the evaluation of the global rack behaviour. As a final stage of the research, full-scale tests of four-level two-bay racks were performed taking advantage of an innovative full-scale testing set-up and, on the basis of the experimental outcomes, the racks’ global behaviour was numerically investigated. Critical standards issues and needs for future research were further identified.

Thin-walled cold-formed steel (CFS) has exhibited inherent structural and architectural advantages over other constructional materials, for example, high strength-to-weight ratio, ease of fabrication, economy in transportation and the flexibility of sectional profiles, which make CFS ideal for modern residential and industrial buildings. They have been increasingly used as purlins as the intermediate members in a roof system, or load-bearing components in low- and mid-rise buildings. However, using CFS members in building structures has been facing challenges due to the lack of knowledge to the fire performance of CFS at elevated temperatures and the lack of fire design guidelines. Among all available design specifications of CFS, EN1993-1-2 is the only one which provided design guidelines for CFS at elevated temperatures, which, however, is based on the same theory and material properties of hot-rolled steel. Since the material properties of CFS are found to be considerably different from those of hot-rolled steel, the applicability of hot-rolled steel design guidelines into CFS needs to be verified. Besides, the effect of non-uniform temperature distribution on the failure of CFS members is not properly addressed in literature and has not been specified in the existing design guidelines. Therefore, a better understanding of fire performance of CFS members is of great significance to further explore the potential application of CFS. Since CFS members are always with thin thickness (normally from 0.9 to 8 mm), open cross-section, and great flexural rigidity about one axis at the expense of low flexural rigidity about a perpendicular axis, the members are usually susceptible to various buckling modes which often govern the ultimate failure of CFS members. When CFS members are exposed to a fire, not only the reduced mechanical properties will influence the buckling capacity of CFS members, but also the thermal strains which can lead additional stresses in loaded members. The buckling behaviour of the member can be analysed based on uniformly reduced material properties when the member is unprotected or uniformly protected surrounded by a fire that the temperature distribution within the member is uniform. However if the temperature distribution in a member is not uniform, which usually happens in walls and/or roof panels when CFS members are protected by plaster boards and exposed to fire on one side, the analysis of the member becomes very complicated since the mechanical properties such as Young’s modulus and yield strength and thermal strains vary within the member. This project has the aim of providing better understanding of the buckling performance of CFS channel members under non-uniform temperatures. The primary objective is to investigate the fire performance of plasterboard protected CFS members exposed to fire on one side, in the aspects of pre-buckling stress distribution, elastic buckling behaviour and nonlinear failure models. Heat transfer analyses of one-side protected CFS members have been conducted firstly to investigate the temperature distributions within the cross-section, which have been applied to the analytical study for the prediction of flexural buckling loads of CFS columns at elevated temperatures. A simplified numerical method based on the second order elastic – plastic analysis has also been proposed for the calculation of the flexural buckling load of CFS columns under non-uniform temperature distributions. The effects of temperature distributions and stress-strain relationships on the flexure buckling of CFS columns are discussed. Afterwards a modified finite strip method combined with the classical Fourier series solutions have been presented to investigate the elastic buckling behaviour of CFS members at elevated temperatures, in which the effects of temperatures on both strain and mechanical properties have been considered. The variations of the elastic buckling loads/moments, buckling modes and slenderness of CFS columns/beams with increasing temperatures have been examined. The finite element method is also used to carry out the failure analysis of one-side protected beams at elevated temperatures. The effects of geometric imperfection, stress-strain relationships and temperature distributions on the ultimate moment capacities of CFS beams under uniform and non-uniform temperature distributions are examined. At the end the direct strength method based design methods have been discussed and corresponding recommendations for the designing of CFS beams at elevated temperatures are presented. This thesis has contributed to improve the knowledge of the buckling and failure behaviour of CFS members at elevated temperatures, and the essential data provided in the numerical studies has laid the foundation for further design-oriented studies.