Load capacity of cold-formed column members of lipped channel cross-section with perforations subjected to compression loading – Part I: FE simulation and test results

• Buckling of cold-formed steel column members with perforations.
• Perforation size, shape, and position were varied.
• Flat-end and fixed-fixed conditions have been considered.
• Non-linear finite element method was employed using ANSYS.
• The FEA and experimental results indicated an excellent correlation.

An investigation was carried out into the influence of perforations of various shapes on the buckling behaviour of cold-formed column members of lipped channel cross-section. A finite element analysis using ANSYS, an experimental investigation, and design code predictions using the AISI Specification, British Standards (BS) and EU Standards, are employed to determine the buckling load capacity. An experimental investigation of the buckling behaviour of flat and fixed ended columns is presented, and the findings from this are used to validate finite element results, and compare with design code predictions. The numerical results of load vs. displacement behaviour are shown to be in good agreement with those reported from the tests. It is shown that the ultimate failure load of the lipped channels under compression varies greatly with the presence of perforations.