ABSTRACT
This paper's main aim is to investigate the influence of plate slenderness (the ratio of width “bst” to sheet thickness “t”) on the intermediate stiffener effectiveness subjected to compression. The analyses were conducted on a thin-walled cold-formed steel (TWCFS) column made of a Sigma-type cross-section for various wall thickness values. Moreover, the impact of local buckling of the web and flange stiffener on the load-bearing capacity of the compressed element made of a Sigma-type profile was analysed using analytical formulas (EN1993-1-3) and numerical simulations (DSM and FEM). Based on the obtained results it was found that for an intermediate stiffener slenderness ratio (bst/t) greater than 20, the load-bearing capacity calculated according to the Eurocode 3 is 17% higher than the load-bearing capacity determined using the FEM and 21% higher than that obtained using the DSM. The obtained results open a new direction for research into the strength of TWCFS sections with intermediate stiffener elements.
