Cross section distortion due to cutting of cold-formed steel lipped C-section

The process of cutting a roll-formed steel section to specified length may lead to cross section distortion and may cause initial geometric imperfection. Two roll-formed steel lipped C-sections of grade G450 were cut to stub columns using an electric saw. Cross section distortions of cut segments and stub columns were measured using a vernier caliper. Initial geometric imperfections of the cut stub columns along the longitudinal direction were estimated using a laser transducer. When a roll-formed steel lipped C-section is cut into two segments, there will be cross section distortions in the vicinity of the cut. For a cut stub column, variation of imperfection along the longitudinal direction at the flanges can be represented by a half-sine wave. The initial geometric imperfection of a cut stub column attains maximum values at the flanges, and is insignificant at the corners where the web and the flanges intersect.