Flexural performance of cold-formed steel section in a composite beam system

Abstract

The application of Cold-Formed Steel (CFS) as a structural member in buildings as composite associate was rarely demonstrated due to limited technical information available about its usage in the system, despite the prospects of the CFS section in the composite system of construction in buildings as well as in light weight industrial applications as nowadays proven. Therefore, this paper aimed at demonstrating the potentials of using CFS section as a structural member in a composite beam system. Four-point bending test was used to determine the flexural strength capacities of the composite system. Results of flexural tests conducted on the composite specimens incorporating the CFS coupled with bolted shear connector proved it to be structurally feasible. In conclusion, the CFS can be employed as a structural member to eliminate the use of Hot Rolled Steel (HRS) section in small and medium size buildings and in lightweight industrial composite constructions as demonstrated.