Light Gauge Metal Structures - Recent Advances
June 3, 2002 — June 7, 2002
Coordinators:
- Jacques Rondal (University of Liège, Liège, Belgium)
- Dan Dubina (Techn. University of Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania)
In recent years, it has been recognized that both cold-formed steel and aluminium alloy sections can be used effectively as primary framing components. In what concerns cold-formed steel sections, after their primarily application as purlins or side rails, the second major one in construction is in the building envelope. Options for steel cladding panels range from inexpensive profiled sheeting for industrial applications, through architectural flat panels used to achieve a prestigious look of the building. Light steel systems are widely used to support curtain wall panels. Cold-formed steel in the form of profiled decking has gained widespread acceptance over the past fifteen years as a basic component, along with concrete, in composite slabs. These are now prevalent in the multi-storey steel framed building market. Cold-formed steel members are efficient in terms of both their stiffness and strength. In addition, because the steel may be even less than 1 mm thick, the members are light weight. The already impressive load carrying capabilities of cold formed steel members will be enhanced by current work to develop composite systems, both for wall and floor structures.
Recent studies have shown that because the coating loss for galvanised steel members is sufficiently slow, and indeed slows down to effectively zero, a design life in excess of 60 years can be guaranteed. The production of economic coated steel coils has also given interesting solutions to architectural demands increasing the range of use of cold-formed sections. Higher yield stress steels are also becoming more common for the fabrication of cold-formed sections. However, the use of high strength steels and thinner sections leads inevitably to complex design problems, particularly in the field of structural stability and joints. In recent years, stainless steel profiles and aluminium alloy profiles have also been used increasingly as structural members.
This Advanced Professional Training aims to review recent research and technical advances, including the progress in design codes, related to the engineering applications of light gauge metal sections made in carbon, high strength and stainless steel, as well as aluminium alloys. The lectures include also a review of the new technologies for connections of light gauge metal members. Main advanced applications, for residential, non residential and industrial buildings and pallet rack systems are also covered.
The lectures are addressed to structural engineers as well as academic researchers, post-graduates and Ph.D. students.