OVERVIEW

This section presents information on the design of structural members that are cold-formed to cross section shape from sheet steels. Cold-formed steel members include such products as purlins and girts for the construction of metal buildings, studs and joists for light commercial and residential construction, supports for curtain wall systems, formed deck for the construction of floors and roofs, standing seam roof systems, and a myriad of other products. These products have enjoyed significant growth in recent years and are frequently utilized in some shape or form in many projects today. Attributes such as strength, light weight, versatility, non-combustibility, and ease of production, make them cost effective in many applications. Figure 10.1 shows cross sections of typical products.

Figure 10.1: Typical cold-formed steel members.

10.1 DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS AND MATERIALS

Cold-formed members for most application are designed in accordance with the Specification for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Structural Members, American Iron and Steel Institute, Washington, DC. Generally referred to as the AISI Specification, it applies to members coldformed to shape from carbon or low-alloy steel sheet, strip, plate, or bar, not more than 1in thick, used for load carrying purposes in buildings. With appropriate allowances, it can be used for other applications as well. The vast majority of applications are in a thickness range from about 0.014 to 0.25 in.

The design information presented in this section is based on the AISI Specification