DSM design of LSF walls subject to distortional buckling. (1st December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Abeysiriwardena, Tharindu; Mahendran, Mahen
• Is Part Of: Engineering structures. Volume 272(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-12-01
• Subjects: Cold-formed steel -- Gypsum plasterboard sheathed LSF walls -- Distortional buckling -- Screw connections -- Numerical analysis; Structural engineering -- Periodicals; Structural analysis (Engineering) -- Periodicals; Construction, Technique de la -- Périodiques; Génie parasismique -- Périodiques; Pression du vent -- Périodiques; Earthquake engineering; Structural engineering; Wind-pressure; Periodicals; 624.105
• DOI: 10.1016/j.engstruct.2022.115016
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0141-0296

Abstract

Highlights: Investigated the effects of screw restraints on the distortional buckling behaviour of LSF walls. Investigated the accuracy of numerical methods and idealised screw restraints on distortional buckling. A detailed parametric study was conducted using a validated sheathed stud FE model. Investigated the effects of screw connections and stud slenderness on the distortional buckling capacity. Developed improved DSM design methods for the distortional buckling capacity of LSF walls. Abstract: With the new advancements in constructions technologies, the use of cold-formed steel (CFS) construction is becoming popular due to its inherent advantages over conventional construction materials. These high performing CFS sections, such as the web stiffened lipped channel studs, are more likely to be subjected to distortional buckling under compression load. Although many numerical and experimental studies have been undertaken on unsheathed CFS columns subjected to distortional buckling, there is limited research on light gauge steel framed (LSF) walls subject to distortional buckling. The behaviour of sheathed wall studs is significantly different to that of columns due to the complicated boundary conditions provided by the stud-to-sheathing contact interactions and screw connections. Although CFS design standards recognize the sheathing boards as a means of providing lateral and rotational restraints, they do not provide any information on their effects on studs subject to distortional buckling. In this study, the suitability of currently available numerical modelling techniques on predicting the distortional buckling behaviour of LSF walls was investigated. It was identified that the distortional buckling capacity is highly sensitive to the in-plane restraints provided by screw connections. The effects of stud geometry, stiffness of screw connections and stud length on the distortional buckling capacity were investigated in a detailed numerical parametric study involving more than 3500 finite element analyses. Finally, the accuracy of the current direct strength method was investigated and suitable modifications are proposed. Moreover, alternative simplified design methods and their accuracy are also discussed.