Logo image
Integrated Experimental-Digital Evaluation of Cold-Formed Steel Columns for Reuse
Book chapter

Integrated Experimental-Digital Evaluation of Cold-Formed Steel Columns for Reuse

Ged Rahman, Martin G. Walker and Dan V. Bompa
Coupled Instabilities in Metal Structures, pp.149-158
Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, Springer Nature Switzerland
2026

Abstract

3D scanning Cold-formed steel Finite element validation Impact damage assessment Structural reuse
This paper presents an integrated experimental-digital workflow for evaluating the stiffness and resistance of damaged CFS lipped C-section columns when subjected to simulated deconstruction damage. Eighteen specimens across three lengths and three damage levels underwent a reuse testing protocol to simulate five construction-deconstruction cycles, followed by testing to failure. Comparative benchmark tests were also performed for samples without a loading history. High-resolution 3D laser scanning captured as-damaged specimen geometries, which were processed through a CAD-based workflow before undergoing a nonlinear finite element analysis. Experimental results demonstrated that low and medium damage levels produced ultimate capacities nearly identical to pristine specimens, with slight stiffness degradation under cyclic loading across all damage conditions. Numerical predictions achieved close agreement with observed experimental buckling modes. The scan-to-assessment framework enables quantitative capacity evaluation of salvaged CFS members, providing evidence-based tools for reuse decision making in modular construction systems and promotes sustainable material recovery.

Metrics

1 Record Views

Details

Logo image

Usage Policy