Mechanical properties of cold-formed steels at elevated temperatures

Mechanical properties have an important role in the fire safety design of cold-formed steel structures due to the rapid reduction in mechanical properties such as yield strength and elastic modulus under fire conditions and associated reduction to the load carrying capacities. Hence there is a need to fully understand the deterioration characteristics of yield strength and elastic modulus of cold-formed steels at elevated temperatures. Although past research has produced useful experimental data on the mechanical properties of cold-formed steels at elevated temperatures, such data do not yet cover different cold-formed steel grades and thicknesses. Therefore, an experimental study was undertaken to investigate the elevated temperature mechanical properties of two low and high strength steels with two thicknesses that are commonly used in Australia. Tensile coupon tests were undertaken using a steady state test method for temperatures in the range 20–700 °C. Test results were compared with the currently available reduction factors for yield strength and elastic modulus, and stress–strain curves, based on which further improvements were made. For this purpose, test results of many other cold-formed steels were also used based on other similar studies undertaken at the Queensland University of Technology. Improved equations were developed to predict the yield strength and elastic modulus reduction factors and stress–strain curves of a range of cold-formed steel grades and thicknesses used in Australia. This paper presents the results of this experimental study, comparisons with the results of past research and steel design standards, and the new predictive equations.

Numerical modelling of light gauge cold-formed steel compression members subjected to distortional buckling at elevated temperatures

Fire safety design of building structures has received greater attention in recent times due to continuing loss of properties and lives during fires. However, fire performance of light gauge cold-formed steel structures is not well understood despite its increased usage in buildings. Cold-formed steel compression members are susceptible to various buckling modes such as local and distortional buckling and their ultimate strength behaviour is governed by these buckling modes. Therefore a research project based on experimental and numerical studies was undertaken to investigate the distortional buckling behaviour of light gauge cold-formed steel compression members under simulated fire conditions. Lipped channel sections with and without additional lips were selected with three thicknesses of 0.6, 0.8, and 0.95 mm and both low and high strength steels (G250 and G550 steels). More than 150 compression tests were undertaken first at ambient and elevated temperatures. Finite element models of the tested compression members were then developed by including the degradation of mechanical properties with increasing temperatures. Comparison of finite element analysis and experimental results showed that the developed finite element models were capable of simulating the distortional buckling and strength behaviour at ambient and elevated temperatures up to 800 °C. The validated model was used to determine the effects of mechanical properties, geometric imperfections and residual stresses on the distortional buckling behaviour and strength of cold-formed steel columns. This paper presents the details of the numerical study and the results. It demonstrated the importance of using accurate mechanical properties at elevated temperatures in order to obtain reliable strength characteristics of cold-formed steel columns under fire conditions.

Anion induced displacement studies in naphthalene diimide containing interpenetrated and interlocked structures

This article describes investigations into the development of supramolecular systems capable of sensing anions through either displacement type assays or molecular motion. An electron deficient naphthalene diimide thread and electron rich isophthalamide naphthohydroquinone macrocycle was shown to form a coloured pseudorotaxane assembly. Investigations into the ability of such interpenetrated systems to sense anions colorimetrically were undertaken. Anion complexation to the isophthalamide group of the macrocycle causes displacement of the naphthodiimide thread resulting in the loss of colour. The enhanced mechanically bonded binding strength between the naphthodiimide axle and the naphthohydroquinone groups of the macrocycle wheel in the corresponding rotaxane structure however, was found to negate the anion induced displacement process.

Sulfate anion templation of macrocycles, capsules, interpenetrated and interlocked structures

This review examines the potential of anions, in particular sulfate, to template the formation of complex molecular architectures. Until recently, sulfate has been largely overlooked in this area and the examples described herein demonstrate this anion’s versatility in templating the formation of a diverse range of molecular systems including macrocycles, helixes, molecular capsules, interpenetrated and interlocked assemblies such as catenanes. In addition sulfate has been shown to template the formation of interpenetrated structures on a range of solid surfaces including gold, polystyrene beads and silicate nanoparticles, highlighting the potential of this anion in the fabrication of functional sensory devices exhibiting highly selective binding behaviour.