ASEA SEC 03


RACKING PERFORMANCE OF LIGHT WEIGHT CONCRETE FILLED COLD-FORMED STEEL PANELS

SHAHRZAD KASAEIAN, HAMID R. RONAGH, REZA NIKOONEJAD


Abstract

The implementation of Cold-Formed Steel (CFS) as a structural element is almost new. As a light weight material, CFS members in the earthquake impose low inertia force to the structure. So greatly increased worldwide demand for such structures. Due to the thin-walled nature of CFS they are susceptible to buckling. Great efforts had been made to promote the lateral load resistance of CFS panels. The common bracing methods are not capable of economically resisting the high demands imposed on the system in highly seismic regions. In some instances, all panels are to be covered with Oriented Strand Board or steel sheeting in order to adequately address the anticipated earthquake load, and this renders the system too expensive. A promising method to combat this deficiency is to fill the cavity in between the panel studs with concrete. Results showed that a panel made in such a manner was able to resist the lateral loads three times more effectively than a similar configuration panel but with strap bracing. The strength, ductility and earthquake response factor of such a system were the major concerns. The experimental tests were performed on a 1.2 m × 2.4 m wall with three different configurations of studs and tracks.

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