Refined analysis for cold bending steel plate girders

Cold bending is a simple, economical fabrication method for curving steel elements primarily used in building applications. In this method, appropriate loads are applied to obtain the desired curvature. The authors recently developed approximate analytical solutions for curving unstiffened, symmetrical or non-symmetrical girders. These solutions relating loads to residual deformation were used to establish limits on geometry, maximum load and curvature so that Bauschinger effects did not have to be considered. This paper refines and extends the earlier solution by incorporating previously neglected factors relating to loading, support condition and girder geometry that resulted in under-estimation of the stiffness of the system. Revised equations are presented and their application described by an illustrative example.