Effects of elevated temperatures on ultimate moment capacity of bolted moment-connections between cold-formed steel members

Experimental investigations at ambient temperature into the behaviour of bolted moment-connections between cold-formed steel members have previously been described. Full-scale joint tests have demonstrated that the channel-sections being connected are susceptible to premature failure, the result of web buckling caused by the concentration of load transfer from the bolts. The results of non-linear elasto-plastic finite element analyses have been shown to have good agreement. No consideration, however, has been given to the behaviour of such connections at elevated temperatures. This paper describes non-linear elastoplastic finite element parametric studies into the effects of elevated temperatures on bolted moment-connections between cold-formed steel members; simple design rules are proposed that will enable designers to take into account the effects of elevated temperatures.