Web Crippling of Cold-Formed Steel Beams using High Strength Sheet Steels

The structural behavior of thin-walled cold-formed steel beam webs subjected to concentrated loads or reactions is discussed, with an emphasis on web crippling and a combination of web crippling and bending moment. This paper presents the results of tests carried out to determine the compressive strength of webs of cold-formed steel beams fabricated from high strength sheet steels commonly used in the automobile industry. Various conditions of loading arrangement were performed in this experimental study. Empirical expressions were derived to predict the ultimate web crippling loads. The new design criteria can be applied to cold-formed steel beams with material strengths up to 190, ksi.