Web crippling capacities of rivet fastened rectangular hollow flange channel beams under one flange load cases

A new rivet fastened rectangular hollow flange channel beam (RHFCB) was proposed using an intermittently rivet fastening process as an alternative to welded beams. The rivet fastened RHFCB allows greater section optimisation and flexibility in designing suitable combinations of web and flange widths and thicknesses for many industrial applications. In the industrial applications of rivet fastened RHFCBs as flooring, roofing or modular building systems, their flanges will be fastened to supports, which will provide increased capacities. However no research has been conducted to investigate the web crippling capacities of RHFCBs with flanges unfastened and fastened to supports under one-flange load cases. Similarly the applicability of current design rules for cold-formed steel sections are not suitable for rivet fastened RHFCBs. Hence to address these issues, an experimental study was conducted to investigate the web crippling behaviour and capacities of RHFCBs based on the new AISI S909 standard test method. This study included rivet fastened RHFCBs with flanges unfastened and fastened to supports under End One Flange (EOF) and Interior One Flange (IOF) load cases. Tests with flanges fastened to supports showed that web crippling capacities increased by 39 and 5 % for EOF and IOF load cases. Comparisons of experimental web crippling capacity results with predictions using the current AS/NZS 4600 and AISI S100 design standards showed that web crippling design equations are conservative for rivet fastened RHFCBs with flanges unfastened and fastened to supports under EOF and IOF load cases. Hence new equations are proposed to determine the web crippling capacities of rivet fastened RHFCBs. This paper presents the details of this web crippling experimental study of rivet fastened RHFCB sections and the results.