Performance of connections adhesive-bonded for coldformed steel

Abstract

In an attempt to cut the weight of the construction materials, the building industry is developing structural materials made from lightweight materials such as composites, cold-formed steel and aluminium alloys. The fabrication of these materials using traditional welding techniques is not feasible adhesive, thus bonding is at present being investigated as a potential method of connection. Limited in scope, the goal of this work was to produce adhesively bonded cold- formed steel structures to be used in the construction and to investigate the performance characteristics and failure mechanisms. The materials applied for this connection is a coldformed steel „C‟ channel section of hardened steel and epoxy adhesive. This paper reports the outcomes of mechanical tests on 18 samples of this connection. The performance of these connections is shown to depend on the comparative proportions of the bonded area. The primary conclusion is that the adhesive bonded joint gives additional strength to the connections of the subject area.