Required number of self‐drilling screws for built‐up column comprising cold‐formed lipped channel sections to ensure flexural buckling as a single unit member.

This study analyzed the flexural buckling behavior of light‐gauge built‐up compression members joined by self‐drilling screws by using the energy method. A nonconventional mechanical model that simulates the flexural buckling behavior of a built‐up member was proposed, and the contradictions of Bleich's model were described. A simple design formula that directly reflects the parameters of built‐up members was derived based on the proposed model. Furthermore, to ensure flexural buckling as a single unit member, the required stiffening stiffness and number of self‐drilling screws were proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]