Behaviour of cold-formed steel perforated sections in compression: Part 2—numerical investigations and design considerations

Based on the results of experimental tests, presented in the first part of this paper, Part 1—Experimental Investigations [1], and using the ECBL (Erosion of Critical Bifurcation Load) approach, in this second part the influence of imperfections on the erosion of critical bifurcation load in the coupling point, both for brut and perforated sections, subjected to uniform compression, is investigated using numerical analysis. A numerical sensitivity analysis is performed on the purpose to identify the most significant imperfections. The “theoretical” compression capacity of the tested members is calculated considering the significant imperfections and compared with the experimental results. The calibrated Finite Element (FE) model and the ECBL approach are used to determine the buckling curves for studied sections. At the end, a numerical procedure is proposed in order to obtain the buckling curves for such a type of sections.

► Numerical models were calibrated based on experimental tests presented in Part I of the paper.
► A numerical sensitivity analysis was conducted to identify, in terms of erosion of theoretical buckling strength, the most significant imperfections' scenarios
► The calibrated FE model and the ECBL approach are used to determine the buckling curves for perforated sections in compression
► The proposed numerical procedure was validated via experimental results.