Numerical simulation of web crippling behavior of cold formed unlipped channel sections

World Congress and Exhibition on Construction & Steel Structure

November 16-18, 2015 Dubai, UAE

K Muthulakshmi and S Seetharaman

Sathyabama University, India

Posters-Accepted Abstracts: J Civil Environ Eng

Abstract :

Cold formed channel sections are susceptible to web crippling under concentrated loads and at support points. The slenderness of the web and the abrupt change in the section from the flange to the web leads to crushing of the section very near to the flange �web interface, which is generally referred to as web crippling. Analytical methods of predicting web crippling strength is very complex due to factors such as imperfections in the web element, local yielding at the point of load application and web instability. The design specifications in North American and Australian codes are based on experiments conducted on slender web sections. The predictions were often unconservative with test strengths found to be as low as 43% of the design strength subjected to Interior Two Flange loading condition. Young and Hancock (2001) have conducted detailed experimental studies on web crippling strength of cold formed unlipped channel sections under four important loading conditions. They have used structural steel having a nominal yield stress of 450 MPa. The specimens have stocky webs and the web slenderness values ranged from 15.3 to 45.0. They have also proposed design strength equations for web crippling that are theoretically and empirically supported. The proposed design strength equations are reliable and they generally predict conservative strength values. Numerical simulation of experimental studies have an important role to play as they enable to conduct the studies numerically thus eliminating the need for carrying out highly expensive and time-taking experimental work. In the present study, web crippling behavior of cold- formed channel sections is simulated using commercially available finite element software. The sections chosen and the experimental details to be simulated are adapted from the studies conducted by Young and Hancock (2001). After the careful simulation studies on two typical sections, predictions are made for several other sections and compared with the experimental results. Attempts will also be made to propose design strength equation for web crippling based on parametric studies.

Biography :

Email: luck_muthulaks@yahoo.co.in