Numerical and theoretical studies on cold-formed steel unlipped channels subjected to axial compression

This paper presents both the analytical and theoretical investigations on ultimate load carrying capacity and behaviour of CFS unlipped channels with their ends fixed and subjected to axial compression. The numerical studies have been carried out in the elastic as well as in the plastic ranges of loading. The slenderness ratio of the channels chosen is 40, 80,100 and 120. Three different web depths [shallow, medium and deep] with five thicknesses have been chosen. In addition to the numerical studies, comparison with the design strengths predicted by using North American Standards for CFS structures. It is observed that the design strength predicted by the specifications are conservative for axially loaded columns. In the present investigation, an attempt is made to study the ultimate load carrying capacity and the mode of failure. Load versus axial shortening behaviour has been studied for various slenderness ratios for a few specimens