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AISI publishes report on LRFD and LSD resistance factors for CFS compression members

AISI publishes report on LRFD and LSD resistance factors for CFS compression members

Washington, D.C. – The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) published a new research report on the recalibration of the Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) and the Limit States Design (LSD) resistance factors for cold-formed steel compression members when the strength is predicted using the Direct Strength Method. Since the Direct Strength Method statistically provides a better strength prediction, higher resistance factors are realized. A summary of the project, findings and analysis are published in “RP10-5: LRFD and LSD Resistance Factors for Cold-Formed Steel Compression Members.” A free download is available at https://cfsei.memberclicks.net/assets/docs/research_report/RP10-5.pdf (135 pages).

The research was conducted by Karthik Gaanesan and Cristopher D. Moen, Ph.D., from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech). It involved data from a total of 675 column tests with calculations performed based on AISI S100, North American Specification for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Structural Members, and the Direct Strength Method. The resistance factors for different cross-section types and ultimate limit states were investigated.

“The research demonstrated that the Direct Strength Method provides a better strength prediction and the improved resistance factors allow for more competitive designs,” said Jay Larson, P.E., F.ASCE, managing director of AISI’s Construction Technical Program. “This research provided a basis for us to make revisions to AISI S100 in 2016, which facilitated the adoption of the LRFD improvements in the 2018 International Building Code (IBC) and will allow adoption of the LSD improvements in the next edition of the National Building Code of Canada (NBC). It also identified opportunities for additional research.”