New design rules for the shear strength of LiteSteel beams

The LiteSteel Beam (LSB) is a new cold-formed hollow flange channel section produced using dual electric resistance welding and automated continuous roll-forming technologies. The innovative LSB sections have many beneficial characteristics and are commonly used as flexural members in building construction. However, limited research has been undertaken on the shear behaviour of LSBs. Therefore a detailed investigation, including both numerical and experimental studies, was undertaken to investigate the shear behaviour of LSBs. Finite element models of LSBs in shear were developed to simulate the nonlinear ultimate strength behaviour of LSBs, including their elastic buckling characteristics, and were validated by comparing their results with experimental test results. Validated finite element models were then used in a detailed parametric study into the shear behaviour of LSBs. The parametric study results showed that the current design rules in cold-formed steel structures design codes are very conservative for the shear design of LSBs. Significant improvements to web shear buckling occurred due to the presence of torsionally rigid rectangular hollow flanges, while considerable post-buckling strength was also observed. This paper therefore proposes improved shear strength design rules for LSBs within the current cold-formed steel code guidelines. It presents the details of the parametric study and the new shear strength equations. The new equations were also developed based on the direct strength method. The proposed shear strength equations have the potential to be used with other conventional cold-formed steel sections such as lipped channel sections.

Research highlights
► Shear behaviour of a new cold-formed hollow flange channel section (LiteSteel beam) is investigated.
► Numerical and experimental studies to simulate the nonlinear ultimate shear strength behaviour.
► Significant improvements to web shear buckling and post-buckling strength were observed.
► Current shear design rules in cold-formed steel structure design codes are very conservative.
► Improved shear strength design rules are proposed within the cold-formed steel code guidelines.