Experimental Investigation of Stainless Steel Roof Sections in Bending (No. R847)

Abstract

This report describes an experimental investigation of stainless steel roof sections under pure bending. The results of this experimental investigation are provided herein and serve as a basis for future finite element analyses and the development of design procedures. Two commercially available roof sheeting profiles named Monoclad and Megaclad provided by Stramit Building Industries have been tested. A total of nine tests were conducted successfully. The test rig allowed essentially constant, pure bending moment to develop with little influence of shear and axial forces. A detailed description of the rig and moment evaluation are provided. All tests achieved ultimate moments greater than the proportionality yield moment and the average ultimate moment to yield moment ratio ranged from 0.87 to 1.16. The effects of material nonlinearity was evident in the test results, shown by the considerable loss of stiffness before reaching the ultimate load. A greater loss of stiffness is exhibited for those specimens which have the wide flange in compression and this may be due to the influence of flange curling. Data are now available for the development of a finite element model calibration and parametric studies.