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International Specialty Conference on Cold- Wei-Wen Yu International Specialty Conference 

Conference 
Formed Steel Structures 
Structures  on Cold-Formed Steel Structures 2018 
2018 

Nov 7th, 12:00 AM - Nov 8th, 12:00 AM

The 2017 AISI Cold-Formed Steel Design Manual

Joshua Buckholt

Helen Chen

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Wei-Wen Yu International Specialty Conference

  on Cold-Formed Steel Structures
St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A., November 7 & 8, 2018

The 2017 AISI Cold-Formed Steel Design Manual  

Joshua Buckholt, S.E., P.E. 1 and Helen Chen, Ph.D., P.E. 2 

Abstract

The 2017 edition of AISI D100, the Cold-Formed Steel Design Manual  
( Manual 
 Manual ) has been published. Updates to the Manual 
the Manual  include:
 include: alignment with
AISI S100-16, the North-American
the  North-American Specification for the Design of Cold-
Cold-Formed
Formed
Steel Structural Members (NA Specification);
Specification) ; several new and varied design
examples; additional discussions related to the design of cold-formed steel
structures and components; and expanded bibliographies of relevant resources.
The database of examples illustrating the Direct Strength Method (DSM) and
new provisions in the NA
the NA Specification has
Specification  has been expanded. Also published with
the
the Manual 
 Manual  are
 are the North-American
the  North-American Specification and
Specification and its Commentary
Commentary..

Introduction

The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) has published the 2017 edition of
its Cold-Formed Steel Design Manual  (  ( Manual ).
). The Manual
The Manual was produced for
AISI under the direction of the Education Committee of the AISI Standards
Council. The Manual
The Manual includes worked example problems, tabulated and
graphical design aids, and supplemental information relevant to the design of
cold-formed steel. In addition, the 2016 edition of the  North American
Specification for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Structural Members (
Members  ( NA
Specification)) and the Commentary
Specification Commentary to to the NA
the  NA Specification are
Specification are published as part
of the Manual 
the Manual .

The 2017 edition of the Manual 

the  Manual  is
 is based on the 2016 North
2016  North American
Specification for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel  Structural   Members
Members (AISI,
2016), a joint publication of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), the
Canadian Standards Association (CSA), and Camara Nacional de la Industria
del Hierro y del Acero (CANACERO).
Acero (CANACERO). The 2016 NA2016 NA Specification covers
Specification covers Load
and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) and Allowable Strength Design (ASD)

1
 Associate, Computerized Structural Design, S.C., Milwaukee, WI
2
 Manager, Construction Standards Development, American Iron and Steel Institute,
Washington, D.C.

413
 

414

for use in the United States and Mexico, and Limit States Design (LSD) for use
in Canada, with equal emphasis. Provisions specific to Canada, Mexico, and the
United States are included as appendices for cases where joint provisions were
not possible. Provisions are provided in dimensionless terms where possible or
in U.S. customary units and metric units where that is not possible.

To keep the Manual 
the  Manual  to
 to a reasonable size and to appeal to a majority of potential
users, all example problems and other calculated values are presented in U.S.
customary units using provisions specific to the United States. Manuals with
Canadian or Mexican country-specific provisions or metric units are not
available currently.

All previous tables and charts have been updated according to the provisions of
the 2016 NA
2016 NA Specification.
Specification. In addition, all references have been updated to align
with the reorganization of the NA
the  NA Specification that occurred in 2016. A total of
seventy-seven illustrative examples are included in this edition of the Manual 
the  Manual .
All example problems from the 2013 edition of the Manual 
the  Manual  were
 were reviewed and
updated to improve presentation of the material and to illustrate new and revised
 NA Specification provisions.
Specification  provisions. Fourteen new example problems were added to
illustrate new and revised NA
revised  NA Specification provisions
Specification  provisions and to expand upon the
collection of examples illustrating the Direct Strength Method (DSM). Most of
these new DSM examples were adapted from the AISI DirectAISI  Direct Strength Method
(DSM) Design Guide (AISI,
Guide (AISI, 2006) and incorporated into the Manual 
the  Manual . All pages
containing examples illustrating the DSM are now identified at the edge of the
 page.

Similar to the previous edition of the Manual 

the  Manual , all AISI test standards are
removed from the Manual 
the  Manual  because
 because they are available free to download from the
AISI website (www.steel.org)
(www.steel.org)..

Part I – Dimensions and Properties

The table of referenced ASTM steels has been updated to reflect recent changes
in steels approved for cold-forming. Information regarding steel deck products
has been updated to reflect the latest requirements published by the Steel Deck
Institute (SDI).

The cross-sections provided in Part I include: “representative cross-sections,”

such as purlins or girts, for illustration purposes; and stock cross-sections, that
are named joists, studs, or track. Standard joist, stud, and track sections are
identified using the product designator given in AISI S201 (AISI, 2012).
 

415

Like the previous edition of the Manual 

the  Manual , formulas for calculating gross-section
 properties used for compression or flexure, and the properties
propert ies for distortional
 buckling analysis, have been provided for common C-, Z- and Hat-Sections.
Expanded discussions have been added describing how both the Effective Width
Method (EWM) and DSM can be used to account for local buckling and how
DSM can be used to account for distortional buckling in members that are fully-
 braced against global buckling. The effective section property examples have
 been updated to reflect changes in Appendix 1 of the 2016 NA
2016  NA Specification.
Specification .

Part I contains three new examples:

1.  Application of the DSM to a fully braced C-Section with lips (Example I-
8B)
This example is adapted from the Direct
the  Direct Strength Method Design Guide and
Guide  and
illustrates how the DSM can be applied to a C-Section with lips that is
fully-braced against global buckling to determine its flexural strength,
compression strength, and moment of inertia at service load levels. The
example considers both local and distortional buckling.

2.  Application of the DSM to a fully braced C-Section without lips (Example
I-9B)
This example is adapted from the Direct
the  Direct Strength Method Design Guide and
Guide  and
illustrates how the DSM can be applied to a C-Section without lips that is
fully-braced against global buckling to determine its flexural strength.

3.  Inelastic reserve capacity using both the Element-Based Method and the
DSM for a C-Section with lips (Example I-15)
This example illustrates two valid methods for calculating the inelastic
reserve capacity for a C-Section with lips subject to bending about its major
axis: The Element-Based Method and the DSM.

Part II – Beam Design

The introductory sections have been updated to reflect the reorganized NA

reorganized  NA
Specification and
Specification  and to include revised discussions on cold-formed flexural
member behavior and limit states, including yielding, global buckling, local
 buckling, and distortional buckling, to assist in an overall understanding of cold-
formed steel beam design. In this Manual 
this  Manual , the strength tables for joist/stud and
track sections include only the thicknesses readily available for each steel grade.
Table values based on Grade 50 or Grade 55 material are differentiated with
 bold-faced type and shading.
 

416

Six 
Six new example problems have been added:

1.  Application of the DSM to a C-Section with lips subject to yielding, global
 buckling, local buckling, and distortional buckling (Example
(Exampl e II-1B)
This example is adapted from the Direct
the  Direct Strength Method Design Guide and
Guide  and
illustrates how the DSM can be applied to a C-Section with lips that is
 potentially subject to yielding, global buckling, local buckling, and
distortional buckling.

2.  Flexural purlin strength by direct modeling of cross-section and system

connectivity (Example II-1C)
This example applies the new provisions of NAof NA Specification Section I6.1.2
to a four-span continuous purlin system with a through-fastened roof deck.
The example applies the DSM and considers the effects of span continuity
and deck stiffness on the elastic local, distortional, and global buckling of
the system. The example utilizes analytical approaches and research report
data to estimate the stiffness provided by the deck. The example further
illustrates the effect of torsion on the purlin through direct modeling and
 performs an interaction check according to the provisions of thethe NA
 NA
Specification..
Specification

3.  Application of the DSM to a Z-Section with lips subject to yielding, global
 buckling, local buckling, and distortional buckling (Example
(Exampl e II-2B)
This example is adapted from the Direct
the  Direct Strength Method Design Guide and
Guide  and
illustrates how the DSM can be applied to a Z-Section with lips that is
 potentially subject to yielding, global buckling, local buckling, and
distortional buckling.

4.  Application of the DSM to a C-Section without lips subject to yielding,

global buckling, and local buckling (Example II-4B)
This example is adapted from the Direct
the  Direct Strength Method Design Guide and
Guide  and
illustrates how the DSM can be applied to a C-Section without lips that is
 potentially subject to yielding, global buckling, and local buckling.

5.  Application of the DSM to a hat section fully braced against global
 buckling but subject to yielding and local buckling (Example II-7B)
I I-7B)
This example is adapted from the Direct
the  Direct Strength Method Design Guide and
Guide  and
illustrates how the DSM can be applied to a fully-braced hat section that is
subject to yielding and local buckling.
 

417

6.  Application of the DSM to a wall panel section that is fully braced against
global buckling but subject to yielding, local buckling, and distortional
 buckling (Example II-16)
This example is adapted from the Direct
the  Direct Strength Method Design Guide and
Guide  and
illustrates how the DSM can be applied to a wall panel section that is fully
 braced against global buckling but subject to yielding, local buckling, and
distortional buckling. The wall panel is evaluated for both positive and
negative moments and considers the effect of the panel edges tied to
adjacent panels.

Part III – Column Design

Discussions of cold-formed compression member behavior and limit states

located in the introductory sections have been updated. Methods for system
stability outlined in the 2016 edition of the NA
the  NA Specification have also been
incorporated into each of the examples as applicable. In addition, five example
 problems have been added or revised:

1.  Application of the Direct Strength Method to a C-Section with lips subject
to bending and compression that is subject to yielding, flexural buckling,
local buckling, and distortional buckling (Example III-1B)
This example is adapted from the Direct
the  Direct Strength Method Design Guide and
Guide  and
illustrates how the DSM can be applied to a C-Section that is subject to
yielding, flexural buckling, local buckling, and distortional buckling. The
section is subject to both compression and flexure and therefore the second-
order moment amplification is accounted for through an amplified first-
order analysis as required by the NA
the  NA Specification.
Specification .

2.  Application of the DSM to an unbraced equal leg angle with lips subject to
eccentric compression considering yielding, global buckling, and local
 buckling (Example III-5B)
This example is adapted from the Direct
the  Direct Strength Method Design Guide and
Guide  and
illustrates how the DSM can be applied to an unbraced equal leg angle with
lips that is subject to yielding, global buckling, and local buckling. The
section is subject to compression, the minimum eccentricity outlined in the
 NA Specification,
Specification , and second-order moment magnification.

3.  Application of the DSM to a stiffened Z-Section with one flange through-
fastened to deck or sheathing and subject to compression (Example III-7B)
This example is adapted from the Direct
the  Direct Strength Method Design Guide and
Guide  and
illustrates how the DSM can be applied to a stiffened Z-Section with one
flange through-fastened to deck or sheathing and subject to compression
 

418

forces. Global buckling is considered utilizing NA

utilizing  NA Specification Section
I6.2.3 with local buckling accounted for using a finite strip analysis and the
DSM.

4.  Compressive purlin strength by direct modeling of cross-section and system

connectivity (Example III-7C)
This example applies the new provisions of NA of NA Specification Section I6.1.1
to a stiffened Z-Section with one flange attached to through-fastened roof
deck and subject to compression. The example considers the effects of deck
stiffness on the elastic local, distortional, and global buckling of the system.
The example applies analytical approaches and research report data to
estimate the stiffness provided by the deck and its effect on the strength of
the purlin.

5.  Unbraced frame design methods (Example III-12)

The unbraced frame design example has been revamped to illustrate the
reorganized stability provisions in the 2016 edition of the NA
the  NA Specification.
Specification .
A leaning column has also been added to illustrate how the stability
 provisions can be applied to structural components that do not contribute to
overall stability of the frame. The example illustrates both the Direct
Analysis Method and the Effective Length Method of frame stability and
illustrates how second-order effects can be considered using either a
rigorous second-order elastic analysis or an amplified first-order elastic
analysis. Application of notional loads, modifications to cross section
stiffness, and calculation of available strengths are also illustrated and
compared for each of the methods.

Part IV – Connection Design

The introductory discussions of design limit states were updated for welded,
 bolted, screwed, and power-actuated fastened connections. The design examples
have been revised to reflect technical and editorial changes in the 2016 NA
2016  NA
Specification.. Additionally, descriptions of two Cold-Formed Steel Engineers
Specification
Institute (CFSEI) technical notes relevant to the design of connections have been
added.

Part V – Supplemental Information

There is once again a cross reference table showing where each illustrated
 provision of the NA
the NA Specification can
Specification  can be found in the example problems.
In addition, Section 4, “Suggested Cold-Formed Steel Structural Framing,
Engineering, Fabrication, and Erection Procedures for Quality Construction,”
 

419

has been updated to reflect the 2015 edition of the AISI Code

AISI  Code of Standard
 Practice for Cold-Formed Steel Structural Framing (AISI, 2015).

A new section, “Design for Ponding,” contains general guidance on how the
 ponding provisions of the NA
the NA Specification can be applied to cold-formed steel
 purlins and other considerations that may be applicable. Ponding loads for a
sample, simple span purlin are derived and then illustrated in an example. The
example also illustrates an iterative solution that can be employed using
structural analysis software.

A second new section, “Design for System Stability,” outlines the methods
contained in the NA
the  NA Specification with
Specification  with respect to evaluating system stability.
Each method is described and then summarized in tables to assist users of the
 NA Specification.
Specification.

A third new section contains a comprehensive bibliography of AISI Standards,

AISI Design Guides, and CFSEI Technical Notes to present in one concise
location many resources available to users of the NA
the  NA Specification.
Specification.

Part VI – Test Procedures

Similar to the previous edition of the Manual 

the  Manual , AISI test standards are no longer
reprinted in the Manual 
the Manual ; however, they are published by AISI online free to
download (www.aisistandards.org).
(www.aisistandards.org) . The Bibliography of test procedures and
test-related example have been updated.

Part VII: 2016 Edition of the North

the  North American Specification for the Design of
Cold-Formed Steel Structural Members 
Members 

In this edition of the Cold-Formed Steel Design Manual , the NA

the NA Specification is
Specification  is
included as an integral part of the Manual 
the  Manual . The changes and additions in the
2016 edition of the NA
the NA Specification as
Specification  as compared to the 2012 edition are
 provided in Appendix 1 of this paper. The Manual
The  Manual provides
 provides direct references to
the
the NA
 NA Specification section
Specification  section and equation numbers in the examples and
descriptions.

Part VIII: 2016 Edition of the Commentary

Commentary on
 on the North
the North American
 Specification for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Structural Members

The Commentary
Commentary on
 on the NA
the NA Specification is
Specification  is also included in the Manual 
the  Manual , which
 provides background information and reasoning for the provisions provided in
the
the NA
 NA Specification.
Specification .
 

420

Availability
The 2017 edition of the Cold-Formed Steel Design Manual  can
 can be obtained
from the AISI e-store at: http://www.steel.org.
at: http://www.steel.org.  

Conclusion

The 2017 AISI Cold-Formed Steel Design Manual  represents

 represents a refinement and
updating of the previous edition. Significant additions to examples have been
made in this edition. The changes will make the Manual
the  Manual both
 both more convenient
and useful to the range of users it serves.

References

American Iron and Steel Institute, CF-06, Direct

CF-06, Direct Strength Method (DSM)
 Design Guide,
Guide, Washington, D.C., 2006.
American Iron and Steel Institute, AISI D100-17, Cold-Formed Steel Design
 Manual , Washington, D.C., 2017.
American Iron and Steel Institute, AISI S100-16, North
S100-16, North American Specification
 for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Structural Members,
Members , Washington, D.C.,
2016.
American Iron and Steel Institute, AISI S201-12, North
S201-12, North American Standard for
Cold-Formed Steel Framing – Product Data,
Data , Washington, D.C., 2012.
American Iron and Steel Institute, AISI S202-15, Code of Standard Practice,
Practice,
Washington, D.C., 2015.
 

421

Appendix
the 1,  Selected Major Technical Changes in
the Manual 
 Manual  i n AISI S100-16 Affecting

Although the Manual 
the Manual  was
 was updated to align with all updated provisions of the NA
the  NA
Specification, selected major technical changes made in the 2016 edition of the
Specification,
 NA Specification compared
Specification compared to the previous edition are summarized below.
Additional information is available in the preface to the 2016 edition of the  NA
Specification..
Specification

 Dimensional Limits and Considerations

•  The dimensional limits of applicability for cold-formed steel cross sections
are now compiled into one table for both the Effective Width Method
(EWM) and the Direct Strength Method (DSM).

 Design for System Stability

•  General requirements for system stability are provided.
•  Two methods (the Direct Analysis Method and the Effective Length
Method) deemed to satisfy the general system stability requirements and
their respective limits of applicability are provided.
•  Two methods of accounting for second-order effects (a rigorous second-
order analysis and an amplified first-order analysis) and their respective
limits of applicability are outlined.

Combined Axial Load and Bending

•  In previous versions of the NA
the  NA Specification
Specifi cation,, a second-order multiplier was
directly incorporated into the combined axial load and bending interaction
equation.
•  In this edition, the second-order multiplier is no longer present in the
interaction equation but instead is accounted for by following the provisions
of Section C1 “Design for System Stability” and determining the required
strength through a rigorous second-order analysis or an amplified first-order
analysis.

General Cross-Sections and System Connectivity

•  Section I6.1 is added that provides another path to determine the strength of
metal roof and wall systems that include cold-formed steel structural
members.
•  These provisions allow the effects of “lateral, rotational, and composite
stiffness provided by the deck or sheathing, bridging and bracing, and span
continuity” to be considered when determining the elastic buckling forces
for global, local, or distortional buckling.
 

422

 Bolted
• 
Connections
Revisions to bolt strengths in Appendix A have been updated for
consistency with ANSI/AISC 360.

Cold-Work of Forming
•  The 2016 edition of the NA
the  NA Specification requires that in order for a strength
increase from cold work of forming to be considered that there be no
strength reduction from local or distortional buckling and that P n = Pne, P nd 
= P y, Mn = My, and Mnd = My.

 Effects of Holes on Distortional Buckling

•  The 2016 edition of the NA
the  NA Specification requires that the effect of holes be
considered when determining the elastic forces for distortional buckling.