Nonlinear Study on the Mechanical Performance of Built-Up Cold-Formed Steel Concrete-Filled Columns under Compression

Given their numerous functional and architectural benefits,such as improved bearing capacity and increased resistance to elastic instability modes,cold-formed steel(CFS)built-up sections have become increasingly developed and used in recent years,particularly in the construction industry.This paper presents an analytical and numerical study of assembled CFS two single channel-shaped columns with different slenderness and configurations(backto-back,face-to-face,and box).These columns were joined by double-row rivets for the back-to-back and box configurations,whereas they were welded together for the face-to-face design.The built-up columns were filled with ordinary concrete of good strength.Finite element models were applied,using ABAQUS software,to assess mechanical performance and study the influence of assembly techniques on the behavior of cold-formed columns under axial compression.Analytical approaches based on Eurocode 3 and Eurocode 4 recommendations for un-filled and concrete-filled columns respectively were followed for the numerical analysis,and concrete confinement effects were also considered per American Concrete Institute(ACI)standards for face-to-face and box configurations.The obtained results indicated a good correlation between the numerical results and the proposed analytical methodology which did not exceed 8%.The failure modes showed that the columns failed due to instabilities such as local and global buckling.

Corner strength enhancement of high strength cold-formed steel at normal room and elevated temperatures

In this study, the suitability of current design methods for the 0.2% proof yield strength of the comer regions for high strength cold-formed steel at normal room temperature was investigated. The current standard predictions are generally accurate for outer comer specimen but conservative for inner comer specimen. Based on the experimental results, an analytical model to predict the comer strength of high strength cold-formed steel at normal room temperature was also proposed. The comparison indicated that the proposed model predicted well the comer strength of high strength cold-formed steel not only at normal room temperature but also at elevated temperatures. It is shown that the predictions obtained from the proposed model agree well with the test results. Generally the comer strength enhancement of high strength cold-formed steel decreases when the temperature increases.

Some Advances in the Application of Weathering and Cold-Formed Steel in Transmission Tower

Application of weathering and cold-formed steel in transmission lines can reduce steel consumption and environmental pollution. Some advances in the studies on the weathering and cold-formed steel in transmission tower are introduced. Firstly, corrosion-resistant tests of weathering steel samples under different simulating technical atmospheres were carried out separately for 240 hours. It shows that the corrosion degree of joint samples is higher than that of single chip samples, and the corrosion-resistant performance of weathering steel is superior to common carbon steel. The corrosion-resistance of weathering steel meets with the requirement of transmission tower. Secondly, experiments and finite element analysis for cold-formed angles and a 220kV prototype tower were completed, and the stability coeffi-cient fitting curves as well as the modification formulas of slenderness ratio for cold-formed members were determined. According to the structural characteristics of transmission towers, four sections of cold-formed angles with different sections and slenderness ratios were selected in this study. The finite element model well predicted the buckling behav-iour of the cold-formed members. Ultimate loads calculating by the fitting curve were well agreed to the experimental values, especially for the members with small slenderness ratios. Weight of the cold-formed steel tower can be reduced by more than 5 percent after considering the strength enhancement. Cost of the weathering and cold-formed steel transmission tower is nearly equivalent to that of hot-rolled steel tower with hot galvanizing.

Feasibility of developing composite action between concrete and cold-formed steel beam

Cold-formed steel structures are steel structure products constructed from sheets or coils using cold rolling, press brake or bending brake method. These structures are extensively employed in building construction industry due to their light mass, ductility by economic cold forming operations, favorable strength-to-mass ratio and other factors. The utilization of cold formed steel sections with concrete as composite can hugely reduce the construction cost. However, the use of cold formed steel members in composite concrete beams has been very limited. A comprehensive review of developments in composite beam with cold formed steel sections was introduced. It was revealed that employing cold-formed steel channel section to replace reinforcement bars in conventional reinforced concrete beam results in a significant cost reduction without reducing strength capacity. The use of composite beam consisting of cold-formed steel open or close box and filled concrete could also reduce construction cost. Lighter composite girder for bridges with cold-formed steel of U section was introduced. Moreover, types of shear connectors to provide composite action between cold-formed steel beam and concrete slab were presented. However, further studies to investigate the effects of metal decking on the behavior of composite beam with cold-formed steel section and introduction of ductile shear connectors were recommended.

Numerical Analysis of Cold-Formed Thin-Walled Steel Short Columns with Pitting Corrosion during Bridge Construction

Pitting corrosion is harmful during bridge construction,which will lead to uneven roughness of steel surfaces and reduce the thickness of steel.Hence,the effect of pitting corrosion on the mechanical properties of cold-formed thin-walled steel stub columns is studied,and the empirical formulas are established through regression fitting to predict the ultimate load of web and flange under pitting corrosion.In detail,the failure modes and load-displacement curves of specimens with different locations,area ratios,and depths are obtained through a large number of non-linear finite element analysis.As for the specimens with pitting corrosion on the web,all the specimens are subject to local buckling failure,and the failure mode will not change with pitting corrosion,but the failure location will change with pitting corrosion location;the size,location,and area ratio of pitting corrosion have little influence on the ultimate load of cold-formed thin-walled steel short columns,but the loss rate of pitting corrosion section area has a greater impact on the ultimate bearing capacity.As for the specimen with flange pitting corrosion,the location and area ratio of pitting corrosion have less influence on the ultimate load of cold-formed thin-walled steel short columns,and the section area loss rate has greater influence on the ultimate bearing capacity;the impact of web pitting corrosion on the ultimate load is greater than that of flange pitting corrosion under the same condition of pitting corrosion section area.The prediction formulas of limit load which are suitable for pitting corrosion of web and flange are established,which can provide a reference for performance evaluation of corroded cold-formed thin-walled steel.

Structural behavior of intermediate length cold-formed steel rack columns with C-stitches

This article presents an experimental and numerical investigation on the strength and performance of intermediate length rack column sections with C-stitches under axial compression. The test program consisted of 10 axial concentric compression tests on columns with and without C-stitches under pin end conditions for two different geometric lengths. Finite element (FE) models were developed using commercial FE package ABAQUS considering material and geometric nonlinearities as well as initial geometric imperfections. The elastic buckling properties of the section were calculated using readily available linear elastic buckling analysis tools based on Generalized Beam Theory (GBT) and Finite Strip Method (FSM). Obtained FE results were compared with those obtained experimentally, and once verified the developed FE modeling technique was used to carry out a parametric study to examine changes in structural response due to variations in length, depth and spacing of C-stitches. Observed influences of C-stitches on the behavior and resistance of the considered columns were carefully analyzed, and key design aspects are presented herein.

Dynamic material performance of cold-formed steel hollow sections： a state-of-the-art review

This paper presents a literature review focused on the material performance of cold-formed, carbon steel, hollow structural sections under impulsive （highly dynamic） loading. Impulsive loading, represented by impact and blast, is characterized by a very rapid, time-dependent loading regime in the affected members and materials. Thus, the effect of high-strain-rate loading is initially reviewed. Next the material toughness, an important energy-absorption property and one measure of a material＇s ability to arrest fracture, is considered by means of studying the Charpy V-notch behavior. The response of hollow sections under axial and lateral impact loading is then reviewed. Studies of blast on hollow sections, most of which fall under the categories of contact/near-field loading or far-field loading are presented. Under large-scale field blast experiments, cold-formed hollow sections have shown excellent behavior. Software for modeling blast loading and structural response, the latter including single degree of freedom analysis and explicit finite element analysis, is described and discussed.

Behaviour of cold-formed stainless steel beams at elevated temperatures

A study of the behaviour of constructional cold-formed stainless steel beams at elevated temperatures was conducted in this paper. An accurate finite element model (FEM) for stainless steel beams was developed using the finite element program ABAQUS. Stainless steel beams having different cross-sections were simulated in this study. The nonlinear FEM was verified against the experimental results. Generally, the developed FEM could accurately simulate the stainless steel beams. Based on the high temperature stainless steel material test results, a parametric study was carried out on stainless steel beams at elevated tem- peratures using the verified FEM. Both high strength stainless steel EN 1.4462 and normal strength stainless steel EN 1.4301 were considered. A total of 42 stainless steel beams were simulated in the parametric study. The effect of temperatures on the behaviour of stainless steel beams was investigated. In addition, a limiting temperature for stainless steel beams was also proposed.

Hot-dip galvanizing of cold-formed steel hollow sections: a state-of-the-art review

A good understanding of the effects of galvanizing on the short-and long-term behaviours of steel components is essential for structural design.This review paper is motivated by a series of recent reports on cracking in galvanized cold-formed tubular steel structures and the limitations of current steel product standards and steel design specifications in this field.The steel-related and galvanizing-related factors,different pre-galvanizing countermeasures for brittle cracking and the available technical documents are summarized.An extensive bibliography is provided as a basis for future research and development in this field.

Development of realistic design fire time-temperature ：urves for the testing of cold-formed steel wall systems

Fire resistance rating of light gauge steel frame （LSF） wall systems is obtained from fire tests based on the standard fire time-temperature curve. However, fire severity has increased in modem buildings due to higher fuel loads as a result of modern furniture and light weight constructions that make use of thermoplastics materials, synthetic foams and fabrics. Some of these materials are high in calorific values and increase both the spread of fire growth and heat release rate, thus increasing the fire severity beyond that of the standard fire curve. Further, the standard fire curve does not include a decay phase that is present in natural fires. Despite the increasing usage of LSF walls, their behavior in real building fires is not fully understood. This paper presents the details of a research study aimed at developing realistic design fire curves for use in the fire tests of LSF walls. It includes a review of the characteristics of building fires, previously developed fire time-temperature curves, computer models and available parametric equations. The paper highlights that real building fire time-temperature curves depend on the fuel load representing the combustible building contents, ventilation openings and thermal properties of wall lining materials, and provides suitable values of many required parameters including fuel loads in residential buildings. Finally, realistic design fire time-temperature curves simulating the fire conditions in modem residential buildings are proposed for the testing of LSF walls.

Unraveling the significance of cobalt on transformation kinetics,crystallography and impact toughness in high-strength steels

This work reveals the significant effects of cobalt(Co)on the microstructure and impact toughness of as-quenched highstrength steels by experimental characterizations and thermo-kinetic analyses.The results show that the Co-bearing steel exhibits finer blocks and a lower ductile-brittle transition temperature than the steel without Co.Moreover,the Co-bearing steel reveals higher transformation rates at the intermediate stage with bainite volume fraction ranging from around 0.1 to 0.6.The improved impact toughness of the Co-bearing steel results from the higher dense block boundaries dominated by the V1/V2 variant pair.Furthermore,the addition of Co induces a larger transformation driving force and a lower bainite start temperature(BS),thereby contributing to the refinement of blocks and the increase of the V1/V2 variant pair.These findings would be instructive for the composition,microstructure design,and property optimization of high-strength steels.

Steel Surface Defect Recognition in Smart Manufacturing Using Deep Ensemble Transfer Learning-Based Techniques

Smart manufacturing and Industry 4.0 are transforming traditional manufacturing processes by utilizing innovative technologies such as the artificial intelligence(AI)and internet of things(IoT)to enhance efficiency,reduce costs,and ensure product quality.In light of the recent advancement of Industry 4.0,identifying defects has become important for ensuring the quality of products during the manufacturing process.In this research,we present an ensemble methodology for accurately classifying hot rolled steel surface defects by combining the strengths of four pre-trained convolutional neural network(CNN)architectures:VGG16,VGG19,Xception,and Mobile-Net V2,compensating for their individual weaknesses.We evaluated our methodology on the Xsteel surface defect dataset(XSDD),which comprises seven different classes.The ensemble methodology integrated the predictions of individual models through two methods:model averaging and weighted averaging.Our evaluation showed that the model averaging ensemble achieved an accuracy of 98.89%,a recall of 98.92%,a precision of 99.05%,and an F1-score of 98.97%,while the weighted averaging ensemble reached an accuracy of 99.72%,a recall of 99.74%,a precision of 99.67%,and an F1-score of 99.70%.The proposed weighted averaging ensemble model outperformed the model averaging method and the individual models in detecting defects in terms of accuracy,recall,precision,and F1-score.Comparative analysis with recent studies also showed the superior performance of our methodology.

Quickly obtaining densely dispersed coherent particles in steel matrix and its related mechanical property

Densely distributed coherent nanoparticles(DCN)in steel matrix can enhance the work-hardening ability and ductility of steel simultaneously.All the routes to this end can be generally classified into the liquid-solid route and the solid-solid route.However,the formation of DCN structures in steel requires long processes and complex steps.So far,obtaining steel with coherent particle enhancement in a short time remains a bottleneck,and some necessary steps remain unavoidable.Here,we show a high-efficiency liquid-phase refining process reinforced by a dynamic magnetic field.Ti-Y-Mn-O particles had an average size of around(3.53±1.21)nm and can be obtained in just around 180 s.These small nanoparticles were coherent with the matrix,implying no accumulated dislocations between the particles and the steel matrix.Our findings have a potential application for improving material machining capacity,creep resistance,and radiation resistance.

Effects of carbon content on the microstructure and tensile properties of a low-density steel

Carbon can change the phase components of low-density steels and influence the mechanical properties.In this study,a new method to control the carbon content and avoid the formation ofδ-ferrite by decarburization treatment was proposed.The microstructural changes and mechanical characteristics with carbon content induced by decarburization were systematically examined.Crussard-Jaoul(C-J)analysis was employed to examine the work hardening characteristics during the tensile test.During decarburization by heat treatments,the carbon content within the austenite phase decreased,while Mn and Al were almost unchanged;this made the steel with full austenite transform into the austenite and ferrite dual phase.Meanwhile,(Ti,V)C carbides existed in both matrix phase and the mole fraction almost the same.In addition,the formation of other carbides restrained.Carbon loss induced a decrease in strength due to the weakening of the carbon solid solution.For the steel with the single austinite,the deformation mode of austenite was the dislocation planar glide,resulting in the formation of microbands.For the dual-phase steel,the deformation occurred by the dislocation planar glide of austenite first,with the increase in strain,the cross slip of ferrite took place,forming dislocation cells in ferrite.At the late stage of deformation,the work hardening of austinite increased rapidly,while that of ferrite increased slightly.

Review of precipitation strengthening in ultrahigh-strength martensitic steel

Martensite is an important microstructure in ultrahigh-strength steels,and enhancing the strength of martensitic steels often involves the introduction of precipitated phases within the martensitic matrix.Despite considerable research efforts devoted to this area,a systematic summary of these advancements is lacking.This review focuses on the precipitates prevalent in ultrahigh-strength martensitic steel,primarily carbides(e.g.,MC,M_(2)C,and M_(3)C)and intermetallic compounds(e.g.,Ni Al,Ni_(3)X,and Fe_(2)Mo).The precipitation-strengthening effect of these precipitates on ultrahigh-strength martensitic steel is discussed from the aspects of heat treatment processes,microstructure of precipitate-strengthened martensite matrix,and mechanical performance.Finally,a perspective on the development of precipitation-strengthened martensitic steel is presented to contribute to the advancement of ultrahigh-strength martensitic steel.This review highlights significant findings,ongoing challenges,and opportunities in the development of ultrahigh-strength martensitic steel.

Effect of Nb-V microalloying on the hot deformation behavior of medium Mn steels

The influence of Nb-V microalloying on the hot deformation behavior and microstructures of medium Mn steel(MMS)was investigated by uniaxial hot compression tests.By establishing the constitutive equations for simulating the measured flow curves,we successfully constructed deformation activation energy(Q)maps and processing maps for identifying the region of flow instability.We concluded the following consequences of Nb-V alloying for MMS.(i)The critical strain increases and the increment diminishes with the increasing deformation temperature,suggesting that NbC precipitates more efficiently retard dynamic recrystallization(DRX)in MMS compared with solute Nb.(ii)The deformation activation energy of MMS is significantly increased and even higher than that of some reported high Mn steels,suggesting that its ability to retard DRX is greater than that of the high Mn content.(iii)The hot workability of MMS is improved by narrowing the hot processing window for the unstable flow stress,in which fine recrystallized and coarse unrecrystallized grains are present.

Microstructure and Wear/corrosion Resistance of Stainless Steel Laser-alloyed with Mn+W_(2)C, Mn+NiWC and Mn+SiC

In-situ formed high Mn steel coating reinforced by carbides was formed by laser surface alloying(LSA).Laser alloyed layers on 1Cr18Ni9Ti steel with Mn+W_(2)C(specimen A),Mn+NiWC(specimen B)and Mn+SiC(specimen C)powders were fabricated to improve the wear and corrosion behavior of 1Cr18Ni9Ti steel blades in high speed mixers.Microstructure evolution,phases,element distribution,microhardness,wear and corrosion behavior of the laser alloyed layers were investigated.Results indicated that high Mn steel matrix composites with undissolved W_(2)C,WC and other in-situ formed carbides were formed by LSA with Mn+W_(2)C and Mn+NiWC while SiC totally dissolved into the high Mn matrix when adding Mn+SiC.Ni as the binding phase in Ni-WC powder decreased the crack sensitivity of the alloyed layer as compared with the addition of W_(2)C powder.An improvement in average microhardness was achieved in the matrix in specimen A,B and C,with the value of 615,602 and 277 HV_(0.5),while that of the substrate was 212 HV_(0.5).The increase of microhardness,wear and corrosion resistance is highly corelated to microstructure,formed phases,type and content of carbides,micro-hardness and toughness of the alloyed layers.

The Mechanism of Heating Rate on the Secondary Recrystallization Evolution in Grain Oriented Silicon Steel

Grain-oriented silicon steels were prepared at different heating rates during high temperature annealing,in which the evolution of magnetic properties,grain orientations and precipitates were studied.To illustrate the Zener factor,the diameter and number density of precipitates of interrupted testing samples were statistically calculated.The effect of precipitate ripening on the Goss texture and magnetic property was investigated.Data indicated that the trend of Zener factor was similar under different heating rates,first increasing and then decreasing,and that the precipitate maturing was greatly inhibited as the heating rate increased.Secondary recrystallization was developed at the temperature of 1010℃when a heating rate of 5℃/h was used,resulting in Goss,Brass and{110}<227>oriented grains growing abnormally and a magnetic induction intensity of 1.90T.Furthermore,increasing the heating rate to 20℃/h would inhibit the development of undesirable oriented grains and obtain a sharp Goss texture.However,when the heating rate was extremely fast,such as 40℃/h,poor secondary recrystallization was developed with many island grains,corresponding to a decrease in magnetic induction intensity to 1.87 T.At a suitable heating rate of 20℃/h,the sharpest Goss texture and the highest magnetic induction of 1.94 T with an onset secondary recrystallization temperature of 1020℃were found among the experimental variables in this study.The heating rate affected the initial temperature of secondary recrystallization by controlling the maturation of precipitates,leading to the deviation and dispersion of Goss texture,thereby reducing the magnetic properties.

Microstructural evolution during the progressive transformation-induced plasticity effect in a Fe-0.1C-5Mnmedium manganese steel

The microstructural evolution of a cold-rolled and intercritical annealed medium-Mn steel(Fe-0.10C-5Mn)was investigated during uniaxial tensile testing.In-situ observations under scanning electron microscopy,transmission electron microscopy,and X-ray diffraction analysis were conducted to characterize the progressive transformation-induced plasticity process and associated fracture initiation mechanisms.These findings were discussed with the local strain measurements via digital image correlation.The results indicated that Lüders band formation in the steel was limited to 1.5%strain,which was mainly due to the early-stage martensitic phase transformation of a very small amount of the less stable large-sized retained austenite(RA),which led to localized stress concentrations and strain hardening and further retardation of yielding.The small-sized RA exhibited high stability and progressively transformed into martensite and contributed to a stably extended Portevin-Le Chatelier effect.The volume fraction of RA gradually decreased from 26.8%to 8.2%prior to fracture.In the late deformation stage,fracture initiation primarily occurred at the austenite/martensite and ferrite/martensite interfaces and the ferrite phase.

Effect of lamellarization on the microstructure and mechanical properties of marine 10Ni5CrMoV steel

Multistage heat treatment involving quenching(Q),lamellarizing(L),and tempering(T)is applied to marine 10Ni5CrMoV steel.The microstructure and mechanical properties were studied by multiscale characterizations,and the kinetics of reverse austenite transformation,strain hardening behavior,and toughening mechanism were further investigated.The lamellarized specimens possess low yield strength but high toughness,especially cryogenic toughness.Lamellarization leads to the development of film-like reversed austenite at the martensite block and lath boundaries,refining the martensite structure and lowering the equivalent grain size.Kinetic analysis of austenite reversion based on the JMAK model shows that the isothermal transformation is dominated by the growth of reversed austenite,and the maximum transformation of reversed austenite is reached at the peak temperature(750℃).The strain hardening behavior based on the modified Crussard-Jaoul analysis indicates that the reversed austenite obtained from lamellarization reduces the proportion of martensite,significantly hindering crack propagation via martensitic transformation during the deformation.As a consequence,the QLT specimens exhibit high machinability and low yield strength.Compared with the QT specimen,the ductile-brittle transition temperature of the QLT specimens decreases from-116 to-130℃due to the low equivalent grain size and reversed austenite,which increases the cleavage force required for crack propagation and absorbs the energy of external load,respectively.This work provides an idea to improve the cryogenic toughness of marine 10Ni5CrMoV steel and lays a theoretical foundation for its industrial application and comprehensive performance improvement.