Web crippling and combined bending and web crippling of cold-formed steel beam headers

摘要

Beam headers are commonly used in walls framed with cold-formed steel studs to span openings in bearing walls. This paper presents the results of an experimental study conducted at the University of Missouri-Rolla to establish the web crippling strength of both box-and I-beam headers for an interior-one-flange (IOF) loading condition. The beam header specimens were tested as a system consisting of two C-sections together with top and bottom track sections. The header configuration used in this study are defined in the Standard for Cold-Formed Steel Framing, Header Design (2000). Tested as a system, it was found that the web crippling strength was greater than that for two independent, single web C-sections. Based on the results of this study design recommendations are proposed.