ABSTRACT
In most of the standards, the cross-section capacity of Class 4 sections is assessed using the Effective Width Method (EWM) to account for the effect of local buckling. Because of the complexity and limitations of this method, alternative methods have been developed, such as the Direct Strength Method (DSM), validated against numerous experimental data for cold-formed thin-walled members. In this paper, welded sections are considered.A geometrically and materially nonlinear analysis (GMNIA) has been conducted to evaluate the resistance of axially compressed welded H profile cross-sections. The FE model was firstly verified against experimental data and then used to carry a parametric analysis. In the next sections, the FE model is detailed. The numerical strengths are compared to current Eurocode 3 and DSM predictions. The goal of the analysis is to discuss the opportunity of using the DSM concepts for calculating the resistance of non-compact and slender welded H profile cross-sections.
