Composite columns using perforated cold formed steel sections

Summary This paper addresses the potential use of composite construction in light steel framing in the form of composite columns and walls. It presents the results of tests on composite columns using perforated cold formed steel C-sections to form 100 × 100 mm cross-section columns. Three forms of tests were performed: Short column, long column tests and push tests to determine the shear-bond properties of the perforated web of the C-sections. The results were compared to predictions to Eurocode 4 based on the effective properties of the C section, which were found to be good. The design method was extended to other heights of columns by finite element models using Abaqus. Some practical applications of this new form of composite construction are identified.