Investigation on Cold-Formed Steel Braced Walls

The use of cold-formed steel profiles and systems can be found across various construction fields, including residential buildings of small and medium dimensions. The particular characteristics of these systems such as light weight, high structural efficiency, durability, rapidity and simplicity of installation of the building equipment result in very competitive structural systems. In North America and Australia these systems have become a viable alternative to traditional framing systems, while their use in Europe is still limited. This difference may be associated with the lower popularity of steel in Europe, particularly for housing. The University of Trento has recently been involved in a research project focusing on the development of an innovative industrialised housing system composed of cold-formed steel profiles. Within the scope of this project studies on individual members and on 2D and 3D sub-structures have been planned. This paper summarises the preliminary results of an experimental investigation focusing on the response of trussed frame walls. Testing is limited to walls of a single storey in height and specimens are subjected to gravity plus lateral loading. The influence of different bracing systems and of the presence of openings on both stiffness and lateral resistance are investigated.