Verification of numerical models of high thin-walled cold-formed steel purlins

Abstract

High thin-walled cold-formed steel purlins of the Z cross section are important elements of large-span steel structures in the construction industry. The present numerical study uses the finite element method to analyse the 300 mm and 350 mm high Z cross sections in-depth. The prepared numerical models are verified and validated at several levels with experiments that have been previously published. Significant agreement between the numerical models and the experimental results regarding Mises stress, proportional strain, failure mode, and force-deformation diagram have been obtained. With the verification, the presented procedure and partial findings can be applied to other similar problems. The results can be used to help research and corporate groups optimise the structural design of cold-formed thin-walled steel structures.