Numerical investigation of channel columns with complex stiffeners - part II: parametric study and design

A parametric study of cold-formed steel channel columns with complex stiffeners is performed using finite element analysis. An accurate and reliable finite element model is used for the parametric study in which different sizes of complex stiffeners are investigated. Column strengths predicted by the finite element analysis are compared with the unfactored design column strengths calculated using the American Specification and the Australian/New Zealand Standard for cold-formed steel structures. It is shown that the design strengths obtained from the specification and standard are generally conservative for fixed-ended cold-formed steel channel columns with complex stiffeners for the more slender sections having a plate thickness of 1 mm with the flat flange width to thickness ratio of 57, but unconservative for sections having a plate thickness of 2 mm with the flat flange width to thickness ratio of 27. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved