Authors: N. Lopes, P. Vila Real, A. Reis, F. Arrais

In this work it was analysed the resistance of cold-formed steel purlins with holed Ω cross-sections. Experimental tests carried out with different Ω cross-sections are presented, with different dimensions, corresponding to several structural frames. Different support conditions, different loading directions (ascendant and descendant) and the overlap of the cold-formed profiles to increase their strength and stiffness were considered. These tests are representative of real construction solutions and the study was requested by the company that produces the profiles. For each frame test, a numerical analysis of the experimental tests was performed using the finite element program SAFIR with a geometrically and materially nonlinear analysis with imperfections included (GMNIA).

N. Lopes¹| P. Vila Real¹| A. Reis¹| F. Arrais¹
1 LABEST – Departamento de Engenharia Civil, Universidade de Aveiro