Numerical simulation and proposed design rules of cold-formed stainless steel channels with web holes under interior-one-flange loading.

• This paper presents a finite element analysis of cold-formed stainless steel channels with circular web holes, subjected to interior-one-flange loading condition. • To investigate the effect of web hole size, web hole location and bearing length on the web crippling strength of such sections, a parametric study involving 1,728 FE models was performed. • The parametric study results were used to propose new web crippling strength equations and strength reduction factor equations. • A reliability analysis was performed to check the reliability of proposed equations. This paper presents a numerical study on structural behaviour of cold-formed stainless steel channels with circular web holes, under interior-one-flange loading case. The material properties of stainless steel types EN 1.4509 (Ferritic), EN 1.4462 (Duplex) and EN 1.4301 (Austenitic) were taken from the literature. In order to study the influence of web hole size, web hole location and load-bearing length on the web crippling strength of such sections, a parametric study involving 1,728 finite element models was conducted. The parametric study results were used to propose new web crippling strength equations and strength reduction factor equations which performed better than those of American Society of Civil Engineers Specification (ASCE 8–02), American Iron and Steel Institute Specification and Australia/New Zealand Standard (AISI&AS/NZS) and Lian et al (2016). A reliability analysis was then carried out, and the results showed that the proposed design equations can accurately predict the web crippling strength of of cold-formed stainless steel channels with and without web holes when loaded under interior-one-flange condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]