The purpose of this analytical study was to determine the effect of varied out-of-straightness imperfection on the bracing strength and stiffness demand of multiple cold-formed steel stud walls. This study is an extension of previous work performed to develop relationships between the required brace strength and stiffness for bridging of multiple stud walls and the required brace strength and stiffness of a single stud. Eight-foot tall walls with three different imperfections were analyzed using critical buckling analysis. The required cross-sectional area to prevent buckling was determined and the critical brace force and stiffness were calculated for various magnitudes of imperfection. Critical brace strength was found to accumulate directly as a multiple of the number of studs, regardless of stud out-of-straightness. Critical brace stiffness is not directly related to the number of studs, but a relationship was formulated that is independent of stud out-of-straightness. The required brace strength and stiffness of a multiple stud wall with a specified initial imperfection can thus be related to the required brace strength and stiffness of a single stud for any magnitude of imperfection.
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