Elastic web crippling of thin-walled cold formed steel members

In this paper, first two different analytical web crippling stiffness models are described, namely a beam-on-elastic-foundation model and an energy model. Then a description is given of the finite element model, which was used to check the accuracy of these models. These finite element simulations have been validated against experimental results. Subsequently the parameter study is described, which was carried out to compare the results of the beam-on-elastic foundation model and the energy model with the results of finite element simulations. Based on these results the analytical models have been optimized by adding empirical correction factors. Finally conclusions and recommendations for further research are given.