Parameter Study for First-Generation Sheeting Failure using a Theoretical and FE Model

First-generation sheeting is sheeting without longitudinal and transversal stiffeners. For the prediction of failure of this sheeting type, if loaded by j concentrated load and bending moment, several theoretical models and design codes exist. One of these theoretical models was developed recently and predicts failure by using a derivative of the web-crippling deformation due to the concentrated load as an imperfection for the compressed flange for which the behaviour is predicted by Marguerre's simultaneous differential plate equations. The quality of the model has been checked with a whole range of experiments, however, the experiments did not have such a variation of variables that the model could be checked systematically. In this paper, a FE model is used to predict failure for a systematic variation of sheeting variables and the failure loads are used to check the theoretical model. For varying web width, angle between web and flange, corner radius, yield strength, plate thickness, and span length, the theoretical model performs well, qualitatively and quantitatively, compared to the finite element model. For the compressed flange width and load bearing plate width, the theoretical model results show some divergence from the FE model results, although absolute differences remain acceptable