Application of the constrained finite strip method for the buckling design of cold-formed steel columns and beams via the direct strength method

This paper discusses the effect of rounded corners in the capacity prediction of cold-formed steel members. Three important aspects are identified and investigated by performing parametric numerical studies on a large number of beams and columns of various cross-sections. Calculations have been performed by using sharp and rounded corners, and by using the conventional and the constrained finite strip method. On the basis of the results a simple and unambiguous method is proposed for the capacity prediction which requires sharp-cornered cross-sections only. The proposal is validated by comparison to test data.