Analysis of cold-formed steel connection

Abstract

Finite element models with three-dimensional solid elements were generated to investigate the moment-rotation behavior of cold-formed steel connections. The finite element results were compared with the results of the experimental data from the laboratory tests carried out by a previous researcher. The three dimensional materially static non-linear finite element analysis using LUSAS software was perform on coldformed steel connections which consisted of column-base connection and beam-column sub-frame. For column-base connection thick hot rolled connection element was used as the base plate which is already designed according to the sized wanted in the laboratory test, while for beam-column connection, channel section were connected back to back as simple and effective means to connect beam to column in steel construction. The moment-rotation curves were plotted to determine the moment resistance values of the connection. Then, the finite element curves were compared with the experimental curves to check the accuracy of the analysis results. The finite element curves for both connections resembled closely with the experimental curves. Comparison between the moment resistance values of both test and LUSAS gave good agreement.