On the distortional-global interaction in cold-formed steel columns: Relevance, post-buckling behavior, strength and DSM design

This work reports the available results of an ongoing numerical (shell finite element) investigation on the post-buckling behaviour, strength and design of fixed-ended cold-formed steel columns undergoing distortional-global (D-G) interaction. Columns with different cross-section shapes are analysed, namely plain lipped channel (LC), web-stiffened lipped channel (WSLC) and zed-section (Z) columns, in order to investigate distinct D-G interaction natures: involving either distortional and (global) flexural-torsional buckling (LC and WSLC columns) or distortional and (global) minor-axis flexural buckling (Z columns). In particular, the relevance of these D-G interaction types is discussed, by assessing when they affect visibly the column ultimate strength and/or failure mode. The results presented and discussed concern columns with various geometries and yield stresses, thus ensuring a wide variety of range combinations involving (i) global-to-distortional critical buckling load ratios (RGD) and (ii) squash-to-non critical buckling (distortional or global) load ratios (Ry) and leading to non-negligible failure load erosion. The possible occurrence and failure load impact of “secondary (distortional or global)-bifurcation D-G interaction” (RGD 1.0 and high Ry) are investigated - it is well known that such impact may be significant in columns experiencing “true D-G interaction” (RGD ≈ 1.0). The above results consist of (i) relevant non-linear (elastic and elastic-plastic) equilibrium paths, (ii) deformed configuration evolutions along those paths, evidencing D-G interactive effects, and (iii) figures providing the failure mode characterisation. Then, the numerical failure load data obtained are compared with their predictions by (i) the currently codified DSM (Direct Strength Method) column global and distortional strength curves, and (when necessary) (ii) proposed DSM-based design approaches, specifically developed to handle D-G interactive failures - a few design considerations are drawn from these comparisons.