Thin-walled steel columns with partially closed cross-section: Tests and computer simulations

Cold formed sections can be optimized for different purposes and they are fairly inexpensive to produce in small series. They have an inherent weakness in their small torsional stiffness, which is unfavourable for columns. One solution presented here is to make a closed section by adding a thin cover plate connected discretely with self-tapping screws. It is here called a partially closed cross-section because it is not continuously and rigidly connected. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the efficiency of this solution by comparing the behaviour of partially closed and open cross-section. Four columns were tested within the project, two of them with centric axial load and two with eccentricities. Numerical analysis was performed using ABAQUS for establishing the influence of the cover plate on the critical load and the resistance. A good agreement between non-linear FEM and experiments were found. After this verification of the FE model a parametric study was carried out. Results of experiments and numerical analysis were compared with the predicted resistance by Eurocode 3, Part 1–3, and the Direct Strength Method. Both design methods give good predictions of the resistance.