A State-of-the-Art Review of Testing by Analysis in Cold-Formed Steel Design
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Date
2020-10-20
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Abstract
New product development is crucial to allow innovation in the cold-formed steel structural industry. However, the required physical testing of new components and assemblies are often a cost barrier which prevents implementation and slows new product development. Testing by analysis can be a good alternative to physical testing as it reduces the expense and time for performing physical experiments, however, two considerations are necessary to ensure accurate results. First, it requires a rational engineering analysis to calculate the capacities and deformations of the system, and the requirements to produce accurate analyses must be explicitly stated. Second, it is necessary to understand if the software used is capable of correctly modeling the behavior of standard thin-walled and nonsymmetric structural members and systems. This study aims to evaluate existing design standards that include numerical test-based design for both cold-formed steel and other industries. Recommendations for the use of testing by analysis based on the design standards and recent research relevant to testing by analysis are presented. The results of this study will assist with determining recommended requirements for accurate design and testing by analysis.