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BULETINUL INSTITUTULUI POLITEHNIC DIN IASI

Publicat de
Universitatea Tehnica ,,Gheorghe Asachi din Iasi
Tomul LV (LIX), Fasc. 1, 2009
Sectia
CONSTRUCTII. ARHITECTURA

EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES OF THE BACK-TO-BACK

CONNECTED COLD FORMED STEEL PROFILE BOLTED
JOINTS
BY

TEOFIL F. GALATANU, I. P. CIONGRADI, M. BUDESCU and

OCTAVIAN ROSCA

Abstract. This paper presents the experimental test results of joints connecting the
cold formed thin-walled steel profiles assembled in a pair, back-to-back cross section. The
tests were carried on at the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Building Services from Jassy.
In the first testing stage there were tested the joints of a frame structural model connected
with high strength friction bolts. In the second stage it was advocated the increase of the
profile bearing capacity by introducing some supplementary elements at the flanges; the
maximum stresses were expected there and occurred. The specimen is built and modeled
as a simply supported beam. In the midspan it is constructed the joint that focuses the
research interest. There the load is applied as a concentrated force. The tests were carried
on in quasi-static regime in several load-unloading cycles; in the last stage the load was
increased until the model collapsed. The strengthening of the flange has not increased
significantly the model stiffness, but the bearing capacity was increased with 20. . . 35%
depending on the profile type.

Key Words: Thin-Walled Steel Profiles; Steel Joint Design; Experimental Tests;
Strengthening.

1. Introduction
The thin walled cold formed steel profiles used for the joint assemblage are
produced by the Kontirom manufacturer and are so-called the KB profiles; they
have a cassette shape and are used as linear elements of the structural resistant
frames. A frame element is typically made of two KB profiles positioned back-
to-back and fixed together with a thick steel connector, as in the Fig. 1.
They can be used for main portal frames with fragmented girder at the ridge.
The steel frame KB members (columns, beams, girders, counterbraces, etc.) made
of twin thin-walled profiles are connected at the joints and fixed with bolts,
allowing an easy and quickly assemblage at the building site.
The twin-profiled linear elements are connected through a steel plate web at
the joint. Thus the joint is primarily consisting of webs and flanges made of steel
welded plates, usually of 10 mm thickness.

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18 Teofil F. Galatanu, I. P. Ciongradi, M. Budescu and Octavian Rosca

The carbon steel strip of the profiles is protected by immersion into a zincamid
bath and is made of FeE320G according to EN 10147 Product Norm (Euro Norm).
The carbon steelThe strip of the profiles
mechanical is protected
characteristics of the by immersion
material are: into a zincamid bath and
is made of FeE320G
a) the yielding strength of the basic material, fyb (Euro
according to EN 10147 Product Norm = fy =Norm).
320 N/mm2 ;
The mechanicalb)characteristics of theof
the ultimate strength material
the basicare:
material, fu = 390 N/mm2 ;
2
The yielding
c) thestrength
ratio fu / of
fy =the basic material
390/320 = 1.22 >f1.2.
yb = fy = 320 N/ mm ;
2
The ultimate
Takingstrength of the
into account basic
that material
the KB profiles = 390isN/mm
fu height . big, they required
relatively
The ratio: fu / fy = 390/320
intermediate stiffeners= on1,22the
> 1,2.
web in order to prevent early buckling at very
small loads and in order to discharge the loads on the entire plane surface. The
Taking intointermediate
account that and edge
the stiffeners,
KB profilespositioned as inisFig.
height 1, must satisfy
relatively big, the following
they required
condition:
intermediate stiffeners on the web in order to prevent early buckling at very small loads
and in order to discharge thesloads  on the entire plane surface. The intermediate and
edge stiffeners, positioned as b p 2 1, must fulfill4 the following condition:
4in Figure
(1) Imin = 3.66t 144 18.4t , for the intermediate stiffeners.
2 t
b
I min = 3,66 t 4 p 144 18,4t 4 , for the intermediate stiffeners (1)
The edge stiffeners
t are active if the following relationship is satisfied:
The edge stiffeners are active if the s following
2 relationship is satisfied:
4 bp
(2) bp
2
Imin = 1.83t 144 9.2t 4 .
I min = 1,83 t 4
144 9,2t 4 . t (2)
t

Fig.Fig.
1 Cross Sectionsection
1. Cross of the of
thin-walled type KB
the thin-walled profiles
type KB profiles.

2. The joint structure

The testing study and program was started after some phenomena were noticed during
i the frame assemblage process, especially at nodes. The node skeleton consisting of i
welded steel plates is made at the factory. In the end the plates are sometimes polished,
painted for protection against the corrosion, or even other treatments are applied.
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This surface treatment can lead to a decrease of the joint bearing capacity. This is because some
rotation of the profiles in the node maybe also present.
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Bul. Inst. Polit. Iasi, t. LV (LIX), f. 1, 2009 19

2. The Joint Structure

The testing study and program was started after some phenomena were
noticed during the frame assemblage process, especially at nodes. The node
skeleton consisting of welded steel plates is made at the factory. In the end the
plates are sometimes polished, painted for protection against the corrosion, or
even other treatments are applied. This surface treatment can lead to a decrease
of the joint bearing capacity. This is because some rotation of the profiles in the
node may be also present.
The following type of joints can be met on a typical transverse steel frame:
a) column-foundation node, at the base of the column;
The following
b) beamtype
to of joints can
column be met
node, on a typical
gutter node; transverse steel frame:
c) Column-foundation node, at the
beam to beam node, ridge node. base of the column;
Beam to column node, gutter node;
Beam to beam node, ridge node.

KONTI "KB" The apex joint

profiles
The eaves joint

KONTI "KB"
profiles

15...20m

Fig. 2 The structural system

It was thought another kind of joint Fig.that
2. should carry on the
The structural occurring loads, with a good bearing
system.
capacity of the bending moment. The KB profiles are stiffened at the flanges with some profiles,
in order to prevent
It was thoughtthe local
another buckling.
kind The shearthat
of joint capacity can carry
should be increased
on theifoccurring
a box shapeloads,
joint is
used. If a good ratio joint material / KB twin profiles and
with a good bearing capacity of the bending moment. The KB profiles arematerial disposal all over the joint, also
the number of the bolts may be diminished. The bold disposal is also very important and can lead to
stiffened at the flanges with some profiles, in order to prevent the local buckling.
an improved bearing capacity. In this stage of the experimental research program it was designed a
The shear capacity can be increased if a box shape joint is used. If a good ratio
joint without pre-stressed bolts (with normal behavior).
jointinmaterial
Then, / KBthe
order to check twin profiles
behavior and
of the newmaterial
joint the disposal all over
beam members werethe joint, also
assembled theof
of pairs
number of the bolts may be diminished. The bold disposal is
KB 600-5.0 and KB 450-3.5 cold formed thin walled steel profiles, i.e. two classes of beam also very important
and can were
specimens leadprimarily
to an improved bearing capacity. In this stage of the experimental
built and tested.
research
Next, the beamprogram
elementsit were
was designed
constructedawith joint without flange
longitudinal pre-stressed
stiffenersbolts (with normal
and without stiffeners.
behavior).
For the next analysis we denominated by R the joint with stiffeners and N (normal) the joint
without the rigid
Then, profilestoatcheck
in order flanges.the
As behavior
it follows, the
of denominations
the new jointofthe thebeam
tested girders
members were:were
N-KB600-5.0
assembled of pairs of KB 600-5.0 and KB 450-3.5 cold formed thin walled steel

R-KB600-5.0
profiles, i.e. two classes of beam specimens were primarily built and tested.
N-KB450-3.5
Next, the beam elements were constructed with longitudinal flange stiffeners
R-KB450-3.5.
and without stiffeners. For the next analysis we denominated by R the joint with
For both models
stiffeners andN-KB, as well for
N (normal) thethejoint
second system with
without stiffeners,
the rigid R-KB,attheflanges.
profiles simply supported
As it
beam with a middle span joint was selected as
follows, the denominations of the tested girders were the structure experimental model (see the dimensions
in the Fig.3).

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Fig. 3 The dimensions of the proposed specimens

 capacity of the bending moment. The KB profiles are stiffened at the flanges with some profiles,
in order to prevent the local buckling. The shear capacity can be increased if a box shape joint is
used. If a good ratio joint material / KB twin profiles and material disposal all over the joint, also
i the number of the bolts may be diminished. The bold disposal is also very important and can lead to i
an improved bearing capacity. In this stage of the experimental research program it was designed a
i
joint without pre-stressed bolts (with normal behavior). i
Then, in order to check the behavior of the new joint the beam members were assembled of pairs of
KB 600-5.0 and KB 450-3.5 cold formed thin walled steel profiles, i.e. two classes of beam
specimens were primarily built and tested.
Next, the beam elements were constructed with longitudinal flange stiffeners and without stiffeners.
For the next
20 analysisTeofil
we denominated
F. Galatanu, I. P.by R theM.joint
Ciongradi, withand
Budescu stiffeners
Octavian and
RoscaN (normal) the joint
without the rigid profiles at flanges. As it follows, the denominations of the tested girders were:
a) N-KB600-5.0;
N-KB600-5.0
b) R-KB600-5.0;
R-KB600-5.0
c) N-KB450-3.5;
N-KB450-3.5
d) R-KB450-3.5.
R-KB450-3.5.
For both models N-KB, as well for the second system with stiffeners, R-KB,
For boththe
models N-KB,
simply as well
supported for the
beam withsecond system
a middle spanwith
jointstiffeners, R-KB,
was selected as the
the simply supported
structure
beam with a middle span
experimental joint(see
model wasthe
selected as the in
dimensions structure
the Fig.experimental
3). model (see the dimensions
in the Fig.3).

In the Figure No. 4 there are presented the stiffening elements fixed at the flange level that were used
in the second stage of the research (for the R beams/ joints).

The additional elements are made of 5mm thick steel plates; they are made of OL52 cold steel sheet
Fig.
and are riveted on the profile 3 The as
flange, dimensions
it can be of the proposed
noticed specimens
from the Fig. 5. The strengthening elements
Fig. 3. The dimensions of the proposed
are 1100mm long. They were fixed with the bolts from the cassette specimens.
flange, as presented in fig.6.
In the Fig. 4 there are presented the stiffening elements fixed at the flange level
that were used in the second stage of the research (for the R beams/joints).

28
65 45
110

108

4
16

130 610 310 50 65

50 80 80 530 80 150 80 50
1,100

Fig.4 The stiffening elements

Fig. 4. The stiffening elements.
The cross-sectional characteristics of the stiffeners are:
The additional elements are made of 5 mm thick steel plates; they are made
A = 7,9cm2, Iy = 127,3504cm4, Iz = 35,2691cm4
of OL52 cold steel sheet and are riveted on the profile flange, as it can be noticed
The cross-section of the
from the Fig. two strengthening
5. The twin profile beams (theare
elements N andmm
1,100 the long.
R beams) is depicted
They were fixed in the
figure bellow:
with the bolts from the cassette flange, as presented in Fig. 6.
The cross-sectional characteristics of the stiffeners are: A = 7.9 cm2 , Iy =
127.3504 cm4 , Iz = 35.2691 cm4 .
The cross-section of the two twin profile beams (the N and the R beams) is
depicted in the figure bellow:

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i Fig.5 Cross sections of beams i

3. The testing facilities and conditions

 28
z

65 45
110

108
y

16
4
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50 80 80 530 80 150 80 50 65
1100
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Fig.4 The stiffening elements

The cross-sectional characteristics of the stiffeners are:

A = 7,9cm2, Iy = 127,3504cm4, Iz = 35,2691cm4
The cross-section of the two twin profile beams (the N and the R beams) is depicted in the
Bul. Inst. Polit. Iasi, t. LV (LIX), f. 1, 2009 21
figure bellow:

Fig.5 Cross sections of beams

Fig. 5. Cross sections of beams.
3. The testing facilities and conditions

A 300.000daN hydraulic press was used for testing. In the Fig. 8 it is presented transducer map on
the specimens and the complementary elements used in the experiments. At this testing stage it was
proposed the following instrumentation of specimens:
2 displacement transducers mounted on the central joint from the midspan (D0, D1);
2 displacement transducers mounted at the joint edge (D2, D4 D3, D5);
2 displacement transducers mounted on the KB profile at the joint vicinity (D6, D8 D7,
D9);
One force transducer to accomplish the automatic load recording.

Fig. 6. The positions of the strengthening elements R-KB 450-3.5.

3. The Testing Facilities and Conditions

A 300,000 daN hydraulic press was used for testing. In the Fig. 7 it is
presented the transducer map on the specimens and the complementary elements

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22 Teofil F. Galatanu, I. P. Ciongradi, M. Budescu and Octavian Rosca

used in the experiments. At this testing stage it was proposed the following
instrumentation of specimens:
a) two displacement transducers mounted on the central joint from the
midspan (D0, D1);
b) two displacement transducers mounted at the joint edge (D2, D4 - D3, D5);
c) two displacement transducers mounted on the KB profile at the joint
vicinity (D6, D8 - D7, D9);
d) one force transducer to accomplish the automatic load recording.

Fig. 7. The transducer positions on the two sides of beams.

Fig. 8. The driving elements mounted to prevent the lateral buckling.

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Bul. Inst. Polit. Iasi, t. LV (LIX), f. 1, 2009 23

In order to avoid the lateral buckling of the beams a driving system was
thought and mounted at middle of each specimen edge, as it is depicted in the
Fig. 8.
The signals received from all the transducers were amplified and introduced
into an analogdigital converter system and processed numerically.
The experiment was realized in monotonic loading paths up to the levels of
100 kN, 200 kN, 300 kN and 350 kN. The last value coresponds to a stress of
2,900 daN/cm2 , i.e. the design strength.

4. The Test Results

The first step of the testing program scheduled in 2006 the experiments of the
KB600-5.0 beams of N class, without stiffeners. In the Figs. 9 and 10 there are
presented the forcedisplacement relationships for the N-KB600-5 beam.

Fig. 9. The forcedeflection relationship at the midspan of the KB 600-5.0 beam.

After the analysis of the forcedisplacement relationship in the case of this

type of beam it cannot be noticed a significant increase of the element stiffness
(Fig. 11). Unlike the previous tests, this time the element was tested till the failure.
Thus, it comes out that element ceased due to the local buckling at the boundary
of the strengthening elements (Fig. 12).
The bearing capacity of the element is significantly increased, the buckling
occurred at a force level of 485,200 N. Under these circumstances it results a
force level increase greater than 22% when compared to the yielding level of the
KB basic material.
The beams made of the KB450-3.5 profiles were tested under the same
conditions as those consisting of pairs of KB600-5.0. The Figs. 13 and 14 depict

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24 Teofil F. Galatanu, I. P. Ciongradi, M. Budescu and Octavian Rosca

the behavior of the N-KB450-3.5 beam until it reaches the yield limit stress.

Fig. 10. The forcedeflection relationship at the midspan of the N-KB 600-5.0.

Fig. 11. The forcedeflection relationship for the N-KB 600-5.0 and R-KB 600-5.0
beams.

The tests for the R-KB 450-3.5 girder were carried out in the same cycles as
for the beam N-KB 450-3.5; after that the test continued up to the failure. In the
Fig. 15 it is depicted the forcedisplacement relationship at the midpoint of the
beam.
The beam failure occurred by the local buckling of the flange of one KB

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Bul. Inst. Polit. Iasi, t. LV (LIX), f. 1, 2009 25

profile at the boundary area of the strengthening elements (Fig. 16). The bearing
capacity of the beam with strengthening elements is increased by approximately
35%.

Fig. 12. The local buckling of the KB element of the R-KB 600-5 beam.

Fig. 13. The forcedeflection relationship at the midspan of the N-KB 450-3.5 beam.

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26 Teofil F. Galatanu, I. P. Ciongradi, M. Budescu and Octavian Rosca

Fig. 14. The forcedeflection relationship at the joint ends for the N-KB 450-3.5 beam.

Fig. 15. The forcedeflection relationship (D0-D1 average) for the R-KB 450-3.5 beam.

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Bul. Inst. Polit. Iasi, t. LV (LIX), f. 1, 2009 27

Fig. 16. The local buckling of the KB element of the R-KB 600-5 beam.

5. Conclusions
The boundary bolted connections assure a good behavior between the KB
profiles and the joint element.
The presence of a too significant gap between the joint carcass and the KB
profile allows the rotation of the profile until all the bolts start working this
phenomenon is consumed during repeated cycles.
The mounting of the strengthening elements leads to an increase of the bearing
capacity up to 30. . . 35% with respect to the yield limit of the KB material.
The use of the strengthening elements leads to a safer cross-section of the
compound KB profile when the bending moments may lead to the local buckling.
The usage of these stiffeners allows the optimum use of the KB profiles, thus
leading to the material quantity reduction.

Received, January, 23, 2009 ,,Gheorghe Asachi Technical University, Jassy,

Department of Structural Mechanics.
e-mail: mbudescu@ce.tuiasi.ro

REFERENCES

1. Cold Formed Steel Design Manual. AISI, Washington D. C., 1996.

2. Wei-Wen Y., Cold-Formed Steel Design. 3rd Ed., Wiley & Sons, Inc., NY, 2000.
3. Budescu M., Ciongradi I., Rosca O., Experimental Tests of a New Class of Steel Joints.
Intersectii/Intersections, 2, 2 (2005).
4. Budescu M., Ciongradi I., Rosca O., Comportarea n domeniul postelastic a unor
grinzi cu sectiunea compusa alcatuite din profile cu pereti subtiri. Intersectii/Intersections,
1, 3 (2004).
5. Studiu privind mbunatatirea mbinarilor dintre elementele structurale tip
KONTI. Techn. Report K077145, 2005, VESPER SRL Iasi, INCERC Iasi.
6. Normativ pentru calculul elementelor din otel cu pereti subtiri formate la rece.
NP 012-1997

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28 Teofil F. Galatanu, I. P. Ciongradi, M. Budescu and Octavian Rosca

7. Actiuni n constructii. STAS 10101-0A/77.

8. Calculul elementelor din otel. STAS 10108/0-78

STUDII EXPERIMENTALE ASUPRA UNOR IMBINARI CU

SURUBURI ALE SECTIUNILOR DUBLE REALIZATE DIN
PROFILE CU PERETI SUBTIRI

(Rezumat)

Se prezinta rezultatele experimentale obtinute n urma unui program de teste a

unor noduri de structuri metalice realizate din profile cu pereti subtiri laminate la rece.
Elementele sunt alcatuite din cate doua profile dispuse n tandem.
Testele au fost realizate la Facultatea de Constructii si Instalatii din Iasi. In prima
etapa a programului experimental au fost ncercate nodurile unor modele structurale
asamblate cu suruburi de nalta rezistenta pretensionate. In cea de a doua etapa s-au
propus noduri a caror capacitate portanta sa fie crescuta prin introducerea unor elemete
suplimentare (rigidizari) la talpile elementelor. Acolo au fost anticipate tensiunile maxime
care s-au produs.
Modelele experimentale au fost de tip grinda simplu rezemata. La mijlocul grinzilor
a fost construita mbinarea asupra careia s-au concentrat studiile si observatiile. Actiunea
a fost aplicata tot la mijlocul grinzii sub forma unei forte concentrate.
Incercarile au fost de tip cvasi-static, monoton crescator si n cateva cicluri ncarcare
descarcare; n ultima etapa de ncarcare modelele au fost ncarcate pana la avariere.
Consolidarea talpilor profilelor grinzilor cu pereti subtiri nu a condus la o crestere
semnificativa a rigiditatii structurale, dar capacitatea portanta a crescut cu 20. . . 35% n
functie de profilele utilizate.

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