The effects of compression loading on perforated cold-formed thin-walled steel structural members of lipped-channel cross-section

The effects of perforation position on the compressive load carrying capacity of cold-formed lipped channel sections are studied and discussed. Cold-formed steel sections have become competitive structural components in the modern building construction due to their inherent favourable characteristics over conventional hot-rolled steel members. However, the advantages of these members are often limited due to the presence of perforations. Due to the position of perforations, ultimate strength and elastic stiffness of a structural member can be varied. This paper describes the ultimate strength results obtained from numerical, theoretical and experimental investigations for fixed-fixed end condition. The numerical results were compared with the findings from the experimental investigation results, showed good correlation both with ultimate strength and failure modes. The study showed that the reduction in the stiffness associated with the specimen with perforations on the web was found to be lower than that for the specimen with perforations on the flanges.