Experimental and numerical analysis on the structural behaviour of cold-formed steel beams

• The behaviour of cold formed steel (CFS) beams at ambient temperature was studied.
• Experimental and numerical tests were carried out and the results presented.
• Influence of beam’s thickness, height and length on its structural behaviour.
• CFS beams are very sensitive to local, distortional and global buckling.
• Use of two or more profiles in the beam increases its strength-to-weight ratio.

A research study on the structural behaviour of cold formed steel beams with C-, I-, R- and 2R-shaped cross-sections at ambient temperature is presented, based on the results of a large programme of experimental tests and numerical simulations. Firstly, several four-point bending tests were carried out in order to assess mainly the failure loads and failure modes of the beams. Secondly, a suitable finite element model was developed to compare with the experimental results, and finally, a parametric study was undertaken in order to investigate the influence of the thickness, height and length of the beams on its structural behaviour.