An experimental study of cold formed steel trusses using mechanical clinching

The paper describes an investigation into the use of mechanical clinching in cold-formed steel trusses. A series of full-scale tests on trusses with varying configurations of chord and internal members was undertaken. In addition a series of small-scale tests was carried out on samples replicating the nodal connections between the chord and the tie elements of the truss. The results of the small-scale tests are compared with the behaviour of the trusses. The number of clinches has a marked influence on the strength, deformation and failure mode of the trusses.