Axial compression test of cut cold-formed steel stub columns with c-section

Cutting roll-formed steel C-section to stub columns will produce different extent of cross section distortion along the lengths and cause additional initial geometric imperfections. Ten cut stub columns with two rolled-formed steel C-section types were tested under the axial compressive load. The ultimate compressive strength was calculated for the stub columns base on steel design code GB50018-2002. For all the cut stub columns, the failure modes of the two flanges were obvious distortional mode, while the webs were local buckling failure. The testing compressive ultimate strength was only 83%-89% of code calculation value.