BUILT-UP COLD-FORMED STEEL-LIGHTWEIGHT CONCRETE (CFS-LWC) COMPOSITE BEAMS SUBJECTED TO ELEVATED TEMPERATURES

Abstract

Cold-formed steel (CFS) products are extremely versatile and can be used in multiple applications. Recent experiments tests by the authors have shown that mobilising composite action within systems comprising cold-formed steel beams and lightweight concrete is feasible and can lead to substantial improvements in structural performance. However, their behaviour subjected to elevated temperatures has yet to be investigated; this is, therefore, the focus of the present study. The results of two tests on CFS-LWC beams at ambient and elevated temperatures are reported. A numerical modelling study using fire dynamics simulator (FDS) software is then described in which the temperature development was successfully replicated.