Numerical Simulation of High Strength Cold-Formed Purlins in Combined Bending and Shear (No. R904)

Abstract

The report provides numerical non-linear simulation, based on the finite element method (FEM) using the software package ABAQUS/Standard, of high strength C-section cold-formed steel purlins in shear and combined bending and shear. The simulations are compared with and calibrated against tests performed at the University of Sydney on a variety of section sizes and thicknesses. Studies of the effects of boundary condition, geometric imperfection, and element type as well as mesh size are included. Geometric imperfections are often taken as a scaled multiple of the eigenvalue modes. Selection of eigenmodes and their scaling is given in the report. The accurate results of the numerical simulations show that the finite element analysis can be used to predict the ultimate loads of thin walled members including the post-buckling behavior of thin-walled sections in shear and combined bending and shear. It is demonstrated that the finite element analysis can therefore be used to design and optimize thin-walled sections of high strength steel.