Compression Tests of Cold‐Formed Steel Columns

This paper presents a detailed description of an experimental study of the flexural buckling strength of cold‐formed steel columns. A total of 68 columns and 25 stub columns are tested. It is observed that some types of columns show lower strength than the value predicted by the American Iron and Steel Institute column design formulas. In some cases, the differences between the test results and the AISI predictions are found to be larger than 15%. From the experimental findings, the cross‐sectional dimensions and the magnitude of the residual stresses are found to have a consistent correlation with the weakening of the column strength. Other parameters, such as the stress‐strain curve (sharp or gradual yielding) obtained from tensile coupon tests and the method used to form the sections (press‐braked or roll‐formed), are not found to have a definite influence on the strength of the columns.