Normal stress distribution in built-up cold-formed column in relation to interconnecting bolt spacing

In order to increase a stiffness of cold-formed steel (CFS) elements it is practised to built-up the cross-section. In the analysed case, a main element is strengthened by adding extra chord in contact partially along the column. This additional chord acts as a longitudinal stiffener connected with the main section by series of bolts. Authors check whether rules applied over the years, for hot-rolled elements, can be indiscriminately used in the analysed CFS element. The aim of this study is to experimentally and computationally recognize the normal stress distribution in axially compressed CFS built-up column chords and to evaluate the element load-bearing capacity.