Numerical study of distortional buckling of single channels restrained by angle cleats

The paper presents a developed finite element model and its details used for investigating distortional buckling behaviour of lipped cold-formed steel beam. The latter is part of structural framing system where cold-formed purlin section is connected to it through angle-cleat. Both beam and purlin are connected to angle-cleat through their webs. All the lengths attributed to the investigated beams were determined using Constrained and Unconstrained finite strip method, CUFSM. Two concentrated point loads were applied to the beam in order to initiate uniform bending moment under the investigated span. The model included the actual material properties obtained from the tensile tests, the geometric imperfections, loading arrangement and boundary conditions. The model was verified against the experimental results published by GM Bukasa and M Dundu (2016). The results from the model were compared with the direct strength method predictions.