Local Buckling Interaction in Cold‐Formed Columns

Abstract

Local buckling interaction between component plate elements of uniformly compressed, channel and lipped channel, steel stub columns is studied. An experimental investigation is reported to quantify the structural response. This response is analyzed with two effective section approaches. One approach employs the finite strip method to predict local buckling interaction. The second neglects the interactional effects and treats component plate elements as if simply supported. Ultimate strengths predicted with the second, simplified approach agree well with experimental results; whereas strengths predicted with the first approach are too conservative. Also, a special subultimate effective width equation, applicable to both stiffened and unstiffened plate elements, provides load‐deflection predictions that are in agreement with experimental data. In contrast to this, subultimate deflections predicted with a current design approach are shown to be excessively conservative.