Study of cold-formed steel floor systems under shear loadings

The University of Trento is currently involved in a research project aimed at the development of an industrialized building system made of cold-formed steel profiles. An essential part of this study focusses on the analysis of the floor systems subjected to shear loadings. This paper is devoted to the study of floor systems realized using coupled cold-formed steel beams. Two decking systems were analysed: a shallow steel deck completed with gypsum fibre boards and the same sheeting completed by a light concrete slab. Full-scale experimental tests and numerical analyses were performed to accurately evaluate the floors behaviour and identify the key parameters affecting their response. The main features and outcomes of the experimental tests and of the numerical analyses are herein presented and discussed