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.