Inelastic Strength of Cold-Formed Steel Beams

On the basis of an experimental and analytical study, it has been shown that the inelastic reserve strength of cold-formed steel beams due to partial plastification of the cross section can be significant for many practical shapes. With proper care this reserve strength can be utilized to achieve more economical design of such members. Beams whose compression flanges are stiffened along both longitudinal edges by webs is the subject of this paper. Current work at Cornell University includes the extension of this study to beams with compression flanges, with unstiffened outer edges as well as the utilization of reserve strength due to inelastic moment redistribution.