Flexural behaviour of cold-formed steel oval hollow section beams

This paper presents a detailed investigation into the flexural strength and behaviour of cold-formed steel oval hollow section beams. A series four-point bending tests were conducted as part experimental programme. Following this, total 12 tested beams simulated by non-linear finite element analysis. Upon validation newly developed numerical model, 36 results generated through parametric study to assess structural response over wider range cross-section dimensions. The data used evaluate applicability five existing design methods for cold formed members, including Eurocode 3, North American Specification, Australian/New Zealand Standards, direct method continuous method. In general, indicate that all three standards produce unconservative predictions, while yield relatively accurate consistent predictions.