Effect of Lip Depth on the Flexural Capacity of Cold-Formed Steel Section

Abstract

Cold-formed steel section (CFS) is broadly utilised in structural elements such as compression members, flexural members and tension members. Owing to its commendable properties such as light weight, easy handling, faster installation, aesthetic appearance and high strength to weight ratio, this study investigates the impact of lip depth and web depth on the flexural strength of light gauge steel C-sections. Specifically, it examines the flexural strength, including the strength-to-weight ratio, of C-sections with varying lip depths, and comparing these trends across different web depths. A finite element analysis was carried out to determine the optimum dimension of the depth of the lip by using the software ABAQUS. Load–deflection behaviour, failure modes, strength to weight ratio and changes in the load carrying capacity were discussed in this paper. The paper explores the load–deflection behaviour, failure modes, strength-to-weight ratio variations and corresponding differences in bending carrying capacity. The analysis reveals that the strength-to-weight ratio of C-sections increases gradually with lip depth. Moreover, an increase in lip depth positively influences the load carrying capacity of lipped channel sections in CFS structures.