O emprego de parafusos auto-atarraxantes em ligações metálicas, nos últimos anos, têm aumentado de forma significativa, principalmente como dispositivo de ligação entre componentes leves da construção metálica, como por exemplo, nas ligações entre telhas metálicas e terças. Tais ligações apresentam modos de falha diferentes dos observados para as ligações parafusadas convencionais, em função do tipo de parafuso e das reduzidas espessuras dos elementos conectados, definidos como \"pull-out\" e \"pull-over\". No Brasil, a carência de estudos específicos nesse tema foi uma das razões da omissão da recente norma brasileira de dimensionamento de estruturas de aço constituídas por perfis formados a frio - NBR 14762:2001, quanto a procedimentos específicos para o projeto de ligações com parafusos auto-atarraxantes. Nesse trabalho foi desenvolvido um estudo abrangente sobre as ligações metálicas com parafusos auto-atarraxantes, com ênfase na ligação telha-terça, onde são apresentados os procedimentos e as recomendações das principais normas estrangeiras, bem como os ensaios padronizados para caracterização dos parafusos e avaliação do comportamento estrutural e resistência de ligações. São apresentados também os resultados de uma investigação experimental, com base no ensaio padrão do AISI (1996) (American Iron and Steel Institute), em 27 corpos-de-prova com variação no diâmetro do parafuso e espessura dos componentes da ligação (terça e telha), com o objetivo principal de avaliar as expressões das AISI (2001b e 1996) para dimensionamento. Como conclusão, são relatadas as dificuldades associadas ao ensaio padrão, que apesar de sua concepção simples, conduz à elevada variabilidade nos resultados, indicando a necessidade da adoção de ensaios mais representativos e confiáveis. / The use of screws in steel connections has increased significantly in recent years, mainly as connecting devices between light-gage components in steel construction, as, for example, in joints between metal roofing and purlins. These connections exhibit different failure modes from those displayed by conventional bolted connections, due to the type of fastener and the reduced thicknesses of the connected elements, defined as pull-out and pull-over. In Brazil, the lack of specific studies of this theme was one of the reasons for the omission of specific procedures for the design of screw connections from the new edition of the brazilian code for cold-formed steel members - NBR 14762:2001. The work reported here involved a comprehensive study of steel connections using screws, with emphasis on the sheating-purlin connection. A presentation is made of the procedures and recommendations of the main foreign codes, as well as of standardized tests for characterizing screws and evaluating the structural behavior and strength of connections. Also presented are the results of an experimental investigation based on the standard test of the AISI (1996) (American Iron and Steel Institute) applied to 27 test specimens with varying screw diameters and connector component thicknesses (purlin and sheeting), whose main purpose was to evaluate the AISI\'s design equations (2001b e 1996). To conclude, a report is made of the difficulties associated with the standard test, which, despite its simple conception, leads to considerably variable results, indicating the need for the adoption of more representative and reliable tests.

Aborda-se os principais aspectos da fundamentação teórica relativos ao dimensionamento de elementos em aço, constituídos por perfis de chapa dobrada, baseados nas prescrições das normas Americana e Canadense. A fundamentação teórica destina-se a justificar os procedimentos referentes ao dimensionamento de perfis de aço conformados a frio, em particular os elementos comprimidos e fletidos, além dos aspectos da flambagem local destes perfis. Aborda-se também uma análise dos métodos de projeto das estruturas metálicas formadas por estes perfis, apresentando-se algumas disposições e alguns aspectos interessantes e essenciais no desenvolvimento de um edifício industrial leve. Tendo em vista a grande utilização dos perfis conformados a frios em terças, desenvolveu-se uma sistemática de cálculo fornecendo os valores dos momentos admissíveis que poderão ser aplicados para um pré-dimensionamento. / An analysis of the theoretical basis for the design of cold-formed steel structural members, according to the American and Canadian Standards, is made. The theoretical background is used to justify the procedure to obtain the required geometry of the cold-formed steel structural members particularly the compression and flexural members, also to explain some aspects of the local buckling. Furthermore, an analysis of the design method of steel structures with these profiles is made. Some interesting and essential aspects are presented in what concerns to the development of a light industrial building. Having in mind the intensive use of cold-formed members in purlin structures, a procedure for systematic calculation was developed to determine the allowable bending moment values that can be used on a preliminary design.

A utilização de perfis formados a frio na construção metálica no Brasil vem crescendo de forma significativa. Dentro deste mesmo contexto, atenções especiais estão sendo direcionadas às ligações utilizadas neste tipo de perfil, pelo fato de as chapas que as constituem resultarem cada vez mais esbeltas em função da significativa redução na sua espessura (elevada relação largura/espessura). Por esta razão, as ligações em perfis formados a frio têm sido estudadas por pesquisadores, tanto no contexto mundial como no Brasil. Neste sentido, o presente trabalho tem por objetivo realizar estudos relacionados às ligações parafusadas em perfis formados a frio, com vistas a avaliar a resistência e o comportamento destas ligações por meio de modelagem numérica, simulando o comportamento estrutural com a utilização do código de cálculo ANSYS v.6.0, elaborado com base nos Métodos dos Elementos Finitos (MEF). No sentido de avaliar a eficiência e a confiabilidade dos modelos elaborados, os resultados numéricos obtidos foram comparados com resultados experimentais obtidos em ensaios, bem como, comparados com resultados numéricos obtidos utilizando-se outros padrões de modelagem. / The use of cold-formed steel members in the steel building in Brazil comes growing of significant form. Inside of the same context, special attentions are being directed to the connections used in the cold-formed steel members, or the fact of the sheets used to this kind of steel members result each time more thin. For this reason the connections in cold-formed steel members have been studied for researchers, as much in the worldwide context as in Brazil. The objective of this work is studies the bolted connections in cold-formed steel member to evaluate the resistance and the behavior of these connections by means of numerical modeling, simulating the structural behavior with the use of the code of calculation ANSYS v.6.0, elaborated based on Finite Element Methods. With the objective to evaluate the efficiency and the trustworthiness of the elaborated model, the numerical results where compare with experimental results gotten in assays, as well as, compared with numerical results gotten using other standards of modeling.

Master of Engineering (Research) / This report investigates the down-aisle buckling load capacity of steel storage rack uprights. The effects of discrete torsional restraints provided by the frame bracing in the cross-aisle direction is considered in this report. Since current theoretical methods used to predict the buckling capacity of rack uprights appear to be over-conservative and complex, this research may provide engineers an alternative method of design using detailed finite element analysis. In this study, the results from experimental testing of upright frames with K-bracing are compared to finite element predictions of displacements and maximum axial loads. The finite element analysis is then used to determine the buckling loads on braced and un-braced uprights of various lengths. The upright capacities can then be compared with standard design methods which generally do not accurately take into account the torsional resistance that the cross-aisle frame bracing provides to the upright. The information contained in this report would be beneficial to engineers or manufacturers who are involved in the design of rack uprights or other discretely braced complex light gauge steel members subject to axial loads.

The use of cold-formed steel as a framework for floor systems in multi-story buildings and single occupancy residences is becoming an increasingly popular alternative to traditional materials and techniques. Builders and designers have recognized that the high strength-to-weight ratio provided by the cross-section of cold-formed steel members permits lighter structures and longer spans. The longer spans and lighter structures associated with cold-formed steel floor systems can result in vibration serviceability issues if proper design considerations are not made. Providing sufficient damping within the structure is the most effective way to ensure that occupants are comfortable under typical residential and office service loads. The modern, open-concept interior has open floor plans with few partitions and long spans, which result in inherently low structural damping. Cold-formed steel floor systems also have less mass than traditional floor systems, which will increase the amplitude of acceleration response. The vibration problems that may be present in cold-formed steel floor systems, like any other floor system, can be addressed if proper consideration is given by designers. Traditional design approaches for vibration serviceability have proven inadequate, and there are no current methods available to designers for calculating the response of cold-formed steel floor systems. In order to design a floor system to properly address occupant comfort, consideration must be given for the type of dynamic loading, resonance, dynamic response, and stiffness of the floor system. The objective of this thesis is to improve the understanding of the dynamic characteristics of cold-formed steel floor systems, and recommend an adequate model for predicting the dynamic response and modal properties of floor systems, in order to aid the design process. This thesis presents the results of an extensive laboratory and field study on the vibration of cold-formed steel floor systems. Floor systems built with cold-formed steel TreadyReady® joists and subfloor assemblies containing OSB, FORTACRETE®, sound reduction board, cold-formed steel deck, and LEVELROCK® topping were examined. Previous research has presented the observed influence of construction details on the modal properties of the laboratory floor systems tested. This thesis discusses the influence of different details on the transverse stiffness of the floor systems. It was found that effectively restrained strongbacks, and cold-formed steel deck subfloor assemblies provided significant increases in transverse stiffness. Based on the analysis of the field testing data, recommended design damping ratios are provided for floor systems constructed with the materials investigated in this study. Floor response that can be compared to serviceability criteria is presented. The peak RMS acceleration from walking excitation was found to be within the acceptable range for the ISO criterion based on residential occupancy, and the static deflection from a 1 kN point load was found to be within the acceptable range of Onysko’s criterion. An adequate design criterion for vibration requires a limiting value, and a means of estimating floor response for comparison. The AISC, ATC, and Smith, Chui, and Hu Orthotropic Plate design methods were evaluated by comparing predicted frequency against measured frequency for the test floors. The ATC and Smith, Chui, and Hu Orthotropic Plate methods were evaluated by comparing predicted deflection against measured deflection for the test floors. The ATC method is recommended as the best method for calculating floor response based on current publications. A design procedure is recommended for cold-formed steel floor systems, using the ATC design guide. The ATC acceleration criterion for walking excitation must be met for floors with fundamental frequencies of less than 15 Hz, and the ATC static deflection criterion must be met for all floors. Proposed modifications to the ATC method to improve the design of cold-formed steel floors include: adopting the recommended design damping ratios from this thesis; adopting the frequency-weighted ISO limiting acceleration and, obtaining several coefficients and empirical expressions that are relevant to cold-formed steel floors from further testing. Recommendations for improving the floor testing procedures at the University of Waterloo are given.

The use of cold-formed steel as a framework for floor systems in multi-story buildings and single occupancy residences is becoming an increasingly popular alternative to traditional materials and techniques. Builders and designers have recognized that the high strength-to-weight ratio provided by the cross-section of cold-formed steel members permits lighter structures and longer spans. The longer spans and lighter structures associated with cold-formed steel floor systems can result in vibration serviceability issues if proper design considerations are not made. Providing sufficient damping within the structure is the most effective way to ensure that occupants are comfortable under typical residential and office service loads. The modern, open-concept interior has open floor plans with few partitions and long spans, which result in inherently low structural damping. Cold-formed steel floor systems also have less mass than traditional floor systems, which will increase the amplitude of acceleration response. The vibration problems that may be present in cold-formed steel floor systems, like any other floor system, can be addressed if proper consideration is given by designers. Traditional design approaches for vibration serviceability have proven inadequate, and there are no current methods available to designers for calculating the response of cold-formed steel floor systems. In order to design a floor system to properly address occupant comfort, consideration must be given for the type of dynamic loading, resonance, dynamic response, and stiffness of the floor system. The objective of this thesis is to improve the understanding of the dynamic characteristics of cold-formed steel floor systems, and recommend an adequate model for predicting the dynamic response and modal properties of floor systems, in order to aid the design process. This thesis presents the results of an extensive laboratory and field study on the vibration of cold-formed steel floor systems. Floor systems built with cold-formed steel TreadyReady® joists and subfloor assemblies containing OSB, FORTACRETE®, sound reduction board, cold-formed steel deck, and LEVELROCK® topping were examined. Previous research has presented the observed influence of construction details on the modal properties of the laboratory floor systems tested. This thesis discusses the influence of different details on the transverse stiffness of the floor systems. It was found that effectively restrained strongbacks, and cold-formed steel deck subfloor assemblies provided significant increases in transverse stiffness. Based on the analysis of the field testing data, recommended design damping ratios are provided for floor systems constructed with the materials investigated in this study. Floor response that can be compared to serviceability criteria is presented. The peak RMS acceleration from walking excitation was found to be within the acceptable range for the ISO criterion based on residential occupancy, and the static deflection from a 1 kN point load was found to be within the acceptable range of Onysko’s criterion. An adequate design criterion for vibration requires a limiting value, and a means of estimating floor response for comparison. The AISC, ATC, and Smith, Chui, and Hu Orthotropic Plate design methods were evaluated by comparing predicted frequency against measured frequency for the test floors. The ATC and Smith, Chui, and Hu Orthotropic Plate methods were evaluated by comparing predicted deflection against measured deflection for the test floors. The ATC method is recommended as the best method for calculating floor response based on current publications. A design procedure is recommended for cold-formed steel floor systems, using the ATC design guide. The ATC acceleration criterion for walking excitation must be met for floors with fundamental frequencies of less than 15 Hz, and the ATC static deflection criterion must be met for all floors. Proposed modifications to the ATC method to improve the design of cold-formed steel floors include: adopting the recommended design damping ratios from this thesis; adopting the frequency-weighted ISO limiting acceleration and, obtaining several coefficients and empirical expressions that are relevant to cold-formed steel floors from further testing. Recommendations for improving the floor testing procedures at the University of Waterloo are given.

This research investigates prefabricated light-gauge steel and concrete panels using reliable and commercially viable shear connectors. An analytical and experimental investigation was undertaken to study the flexural behaviour of light-gauge steel and concrete composite panels under uniform pressure. Normalweight and lightweight concrete panels were fabricated by embedding 16-gauge 41 mm x 203 mm steel channel sections (running parallel to each other) to a depth of 38 mm into a 64 mm thick concrete slab. Push-out tests were also conducted to evaluate the efficiency of three types of shear connection mechanism; natural surface bonding, predrilled holes, and punched holes. Only two types of shear connectors (predrilled holes and punched holes) were used in the full-scale panel specimens. Results show that the predrilled holes and punched holes provide full shear transfer between the steel and concrete. The ultimate load carrying capacity of the lightweight concrete panels exhibited similar behaviour to the normalweight concrete panels. All the panels exhibited good load carrying capacity and ductility, and satisfied the serviceability limit state of deflection. Thus, the proposed panels present a potential for a commercially viable composite floor system for building construction utilizing a maximum span of 2330 mm.

Master of Engineering (Research) / This report investigates the down-aisle buckling load capacity of steel storage rack uprights. The effects of discrete torsional restraints provided by the frame bracing in the cross-aisle direction is considered in this report. Since current theoretical methods used to predict the buckling capacity of rack uprights appear to be over-conservative and complex, this research may provide engineers an alternative method of design using detailed finite element analysis. In this study, the results from experimental testing of upright frames with K-bracing are compared to finite element predictions of displacements and maximum axial loads. The finite element analysis is then used to determine the buckling loads on braced and un-braced uprights of various lengths. The upright capacities can then be compared with standard design methods which generally do not accurately take into account the torsional resistance that the cross-aisle frame bracing provides to the upright. The information contained in this report would be beneficial to engineers or manufacturers who are involved in the design of rack uprights or other discretely braced complex light gauge steel members subject to axial loads.

Aborda-se os principais aspectos da fundamentação teórica relativos ao dimensionamento de elementos em aço, constituídos por perfis de chapa dobrada, baseados nas prescrições das normas Americana e Canadense. A fundamentação teórica destina-se a justificar os procedimentos referentes ao dimensionamento de perfis de aço conformados a frio, em particular os elementos comprimidos e fletidos, além dos aspectos da flambagem local destes perfis. Aborda-se também uma análise dos métodos de projeto das estruturas metálicas formadas por estes perfis, apresentando-se algumas disposições e alguns aspectos interessantes e essenciais no desenvolvimento de um edifício industrial leve. Tendo em vista a grande utilização dos perfis conformados a frios em terças, desenvolveu-se uma sistemática de cálculo fornecendo os valores dos momentos admissíveis que poderão ser aplicados para um pré-dimensionamento. / An analysis of the theoretical basis for the design of cold-formed steel structural members, according to the American and Canadian Standards, is made. The theoretical background is used to justify the procedure to obtain the required geometry of the cold-formed steel structural members particularly the compression and flexural members, also to explain some aspects of the local buckling. Furthermore, an analysis of the design method of steel structures with these profiles is made. Some interesting and essential aspects are presented in what concerns to the development of a light industrial building. Having in mind the intensive use of cold-formed members in purlin structures, a procedure for systematic calculation was developed to determine the allowable bending moment values that can be used on a preliminary design.

O emprego de parafusos auto-atarraxantes em ligações metálicas, nos últimos anos, têm aumentado de forma significativa, principalmente como dispositivo de ligação entre componentes leves da construção metálica, como por exemplo, nas ligações entre telhas metálicas e terças. Tais ligações apresentam modos de falha diferentes dos observados para as ligações parafusadas convencionais, em função do tipo de parafuso e das reduzidas espessuras dos elementos conectados, definidos como \"pull-out\" e \"pull-over\". No Brasil, a carência de estudos específicos nesse tema foi uma das razões da omissão da recente norma brasileira de dimensionamento de estruturas de aço constituídas por perfis formados a frio - NBR 14762:2001, quanto a procedimentos específicos para o projeto de ligações com parafusos auto-atarraxantes. Nesse trabalho foi desenvolvido um estudo abrangente sobre as ligações metálicas com parafusos auto-atarraxantes, com ênfase na ligação telha-terça, onde são apresentados os procedimentos e as recomendações das principais normas estrangeiras, bem como os ensaios padronizados para caracterização dos parafusos e avaliação do comportamento estrutural e resistência de ligações. São apresentados também os resultados de uma investigação experimental, com base no ensaio padrão do AISI (1996) (American Iron and Steel Institute), em 27 corpos-de-prova com variação no diâmetro do parafuso e espessura dos componentes da ligação (terça e telha), com o objetivo principal de avaliar as expressões das AISI (2001b e 1996) para dimensionamento. Como conclusão, são relatadas as dificuldades associadas ao ensaio padrão, que apesar de sua concepção simples, conduz à elevada variabilidade nos resultados, indicando a necessidade da adoção de ensaios mais representativos e confiáveis. / The use of screws in steel connections has increased significantly in recent years, mainly as connecting devices between light-gage components in steel construction, as, for example, in joints between metal roofing and purlins. These connections exhibit different failure modes from those displayed by conventional bolted connections, due to the type of fastener and the reduced thicknesses of the connected elements, defined as pull-out and pull-over. In Brazil, the lack of specific studies of this theme was one of the reasons for the omission of specific procedures for the design of screw connections from the new edition of the brazilian code for cold-formed steel members - NBR 14762:2001. The work reported here involved a comprehensive study of steel connections using screws, with emphasis on the sheating-purlin connection. A presentation is made of the procedures and recommendations of the main foreign codes, as well as of standardized tests for characterizing screws and evaluating the structural behavior and strength of connections. Also presented are the results of an experimental investigation based on the standard test of the AISI (1996) (American Iron and Steel Institute) applied to 27 test specimens with varying screw diameters and connector component thicknesses (purlin and sheeting), whose main purpose was to evaluate the AISI\'s design equations (2001b e 1996). To conclude, a report is made of the difficulties associated with the standard test, which, despite its simple conception, leads to considerably variable results, indicating the need for the adoption of more representative and reliable tests.