Determination of capacities of cold-formed steel channel columns with web holes

Abstract

Cold-formed steel members that include openings are commonly employed to accommodate technical systems within walls or ceilings. However, the presence of these openings can result in a decrease in their member strength. This research paper, therefore, outlines the process of assessing the member capacities of cold-formed steel channel columns, using the Direct Strength Method (DSM) as specified in AISI S100-2016. An elastic buckling analysis software developed by the American Iron and Steel Institute is utilized to analyze the elastic buckling behavior of channel columns with openings. The paper also provides examples illustrating the determination of capacities for channel columns with openings, which are then compared to those of gross sections.

Keywords: Capacities; steel channel columns; cold-formed steel; web holes.