Sustainable Design for CFS Structures: Experimental Data and Numerical Models of Hinged Connections

George Taranu, Vasile-Mircea Venghiac, Ioana Olteanu-Dontov, Ancuta Rotaru and Ionut-Ovidiu Toma
Additional contact information
George Taranu: Department of Structural Mechanics, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Building Services, Technical University Gheorghe Asachi of Iasi, 700050 Iasi, Romania
Vasile-Mircea Venghiac: Department of Structural Mechanics, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Building Services, Technical University Gheorghe Asachi of Iasi, 700050 Iasi, Romania
Ioana Olteanu-Dontov: Department of Structural Mechanics, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Building Services, Technical University Gheorghe Asachi of Iasi, 700050 Iasi, Romania
Ancuta Rotaru: Department of Transportation Infrastructure and Foundations, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Building Services, Technical University Gheorghe Asachi of Iasi, 700050 Iasi, Romania
Ionut-Ovidiu Toma: Department of Structural Mechanics, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Building Services, Technical University Gheorghe Asachi of Iasi, 700050 Iasi, Romania

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 13, 1-23

Abstract: Cold-formed steel structures represent a suitable alternative to classical, by now, structural solutions considering the recycling/reuse tendency worldwide as part of the circular economy paradigm. The paper presents a new design approach for CFS profile joints to accurately predict their realistic behavior, based on experimental and numerical investigation of two types of connectors frequently used in the construction industry for manufacturing joints made of CFS profiles: steel-steel pop-rivets (SSPR) and self-tapping screws (STS). The experiments carried out in the case of T-joints subjected to tensile forces tested both solutions. Another significant parameter of the research was the thickness of the steel sheet used to make the CFS profiles. A number of 20 specimens of T-joints made of Cold-Formed Steel (CFS) profiles in total were tested. These consist of five specimens for each of two types of steel sheet thicknesses. The results are relevant for designers because they provide relevant data concerning the limited axial rigidity of T-joints, which are an important instrument in numerical models for achieving the optimum design of the structural system in terms of strength and overall rigidity. Experimental tests calibrate the numerical model that accounts for the axial stiffness of the hinged joints between the CFS profiles. The main parameters of the research are the thickness of the steel sheet and the connector type. The calibrated numerical model used in a case study highlights the advantages of the new approach compared to the classical design procedure based on a conventional hinged connection. Based on the results, the conclusion is that, besides the geometry of the joint and the connector type, the joint stiffness plays a crucial role in the overall behavior of the structural system and should be accounted for in the design process.

Keywords: cold-formed steel profiles; connector; T-joint; axial stiffness; numerical model (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/13/7813/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/13/7813/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:13:p:7813-:d:848781

Access Statistics for this article

Sustainability is currently edited by Ms. Alexandra Wu

More articles in Sustainability from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().