Cyclic flexural response and energy dissipation of cold-formed steel framing members

This manuscript summarizes an experimental program investigating the cyclic flexural behavior and energy dissipation of C-shaped cold-formed steel structural framing members experiencing global, distortional or local buckling. Understanding the cyclic flexural moment-rotation (M–θ) response of individual members is essential in developing analytical models that can facilitate analysis-based design of cold-formed steel building systems. Specimen cross-section dimensions and lengths were selected to isolate specific buckling modes (i.e., local, distortional or global buckling). A cyclic loading protocol was adapted from FEMA 461 with targets based on elastic buckling properties. Abrupt drops in flexural strength after peak moment were observed with subsequent stiffness degradation and pinching of the moment-rotation response associated with straightening of buckling deformations during loading direction reversals. Members experiencing local and distortional buckling accumulated damage at the compressed web and flanges within the leading buckled half-wave that spread throughout the cross-section forming flexural hinges after several cycles. In members experiencing lateral-torsional buckling, damage localized at the C-section flange-stiffening lip but distinct flexural hinges were not observed. Energy dissipation per cycle in members undergoing lateral-torsional buckling remained constant through large flexural rotations because the failure mechanism involved mid-span cross-section rigid body motion without plastic deformations spreading across the cross section. Local and distortional buckling specimens resulted in more dissipated energy per cycle compared to global buckling specimens, but the energy dissipation rapidly decreased as applied displacements increased. Energy dissipation within the damaged half-wave(s) is higher for lower cross-sectional slenderness and increasing section modulus, key trends that will be useful for generally defining cyclic hysteretic response of thin-walled cold-formed steel members in planned future work. •Cyclic flexural behavior of thin-walled members that showed local, distortional or lateral torsional buckling.•Present a cyclic loading protocol for testing of thin-walled flexural members with targets based on elastic buckling properties.•Cyclic damage accumulated at the compressed web and flanges within the leading buckled half-wave for members experiencing local and distortional deformations.•Cyclic damage accumulation in