Axially Loaded Cold Formed Steel Columns Strengthened With CFRP

This book presents a series of experimental and theoretical studies aimed at the development of a design guideline for CFRP strengthened CFS structures. Thin elements may buckle locally at a stress level lower than the yield stress of steel when they are subjected to compression in flexural bending and axial compression. This can be controlled to some extent by strengthening the steel members with Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) sheets to improve buckling resistance. For purpose of validation, the results based on proposed design equation from North American specification for the design of cold-formed steel structural members and Euro code for cold-formed members are compared against experimental data. It has been observed that there is significant increase in strength due to CFRP strengthening. Bond strength between CFRP and steel plates has also been studied to investigate effective bond length.