Analysis of Cold-Formed Steel Members and Systems under Static and Dynamic

This PhD research project focuses on the numerical investigation of cold-formed steel (CFS) members and built-up systems used in lightweight structural applications. Due to their thin-walled nature, these elements exhibit complex nonlinear behavior governed by local and distortional buckling, which requires advanced finite element modeling.
Within the scope of the present one-year computing grant, the work will concentrate on nonlinear static finite element analyses of selected CFS members, primarily beams and built-up configurations. Detailed numerical models will be developed in Abaqus, including material and geometric nonlinearities, imperfections, and realistic boundary conditions.
Parametric analyses will be conducted to study the influence of geometric and material parameters on the structural response. The large number of simulations and model complexity justify the need for access to high-performance computing resources. The outcomes of this phase will provide a reliable numerical basis for further research stages of the PhD project.