Numerical Investigation and Design of Cold-Formed Steel Channel and Z-Sections Undergoing Local and Global Interactive Buckling

This research investigates the compressive and flexural strengths of cold-formed steel (CFS) members with channel and Z-profiles. The study includes a comprehensive analysis of 500 CFS members. Finite-element (FE) models in ABAQUS, validated by experimental results, assess the influence of various parameters on the capacities of these CFS members. The parameters analyzed include the member length-to-depth ratio, section depth-to-width ratio, plate slenderness ratio, lip-to-flange width ratio, and material yield stress. Results from FE models were compared with those from the Effective Width Method (EWM) and the Direct Strength Method (DSM). A graphical user interface (GUI) was developed to streamline EWM and DSM calculations, enhancing efficiency and accuracy. This study provides valuable insights into the performance of innovative CFS channels and Z-profiles, facilitating a deeper understanding of their structural capacities and offering a foundation for potential applications in modern engineering design and construction practices.