Lateral Bracing Connections for C-sections Subjected to Bending

The overall behavior under bending moment of cold-formed steel C-sections assemblies was investigated. Each test assembly consisted of C-sections acting as beams having a track to restrain the ends. Lateral bracing to restrain C-sections from rotation was provided at mid-span. To better understand the influence of the brace connection on the bending behavior, an experimental investigation was carried out with particular emphasis placed on the study of the effect of the mid-span brace connection on the bending behavior, and the effect of attaching dry wall to the tension flange. For the dry wall test specimens, lateral bracing was also provided at mid-span. The tested moment capacities are compared to predictions based on the 1996 American Iron and Steel Institutes\u27 Specification for Design of Cold-formed Steel Structural Members