Introduction

Cold-Formed Steel (CFS) has emerged as a highly versatile, efficient, and sustainable material in modern construction, offering lightweight, high-strength solutions for a wide range of applications from residential and commercial buildings to modular construction and specialized structures. The unique manufacturing process of forming steel sheets at room temperature allows for a vast array of cross-sections and intricate designs, providing unparalleled flexibility for architects and engineers. This training course is meticulously designed to equip civil and structural engineers, architects, fabricators, contractors, and advanced engineering students with cutting-edge knowledge and practical skills in understanding the fundamental behavior of cold-formed steel members and connections, mastering the design principles according to relevant codes, exploring various CFS structural systems, analyzing local and distortional buckling phenomena, addressing fire and corrosion protection, and leveraging specialized software tools for efficient design and detailing. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of how to conceptualize, analyze, design, and oversee the construction of economical, durable, and lightweight structures utilizing the full potential of cold-formed steel.

Target Audience

• Civil Engineers (Structural Design Focus)
• Structural Engineers
• Architects
• Cold-Formed Steel Fabricators & Manufacturers
• Contractors (involved in CFS construction)
• Building Code Officials & Regulators
• Researchers in Steel Structures
• Advanced Engineering Students

Objectives

• Understand the manufacturing process and unique characteristics of cold-formed steel.
• Master the design of cold-formed steel members (beams, columns, studs) for various loading conditions.
• Learn about different types of local, distortional, and global buckling phenomena in CFS members.
• Develop proficiency in designing cold-formed steel connections.
• Understand various cold-formed steel structural systems (e.g., wall bearing, framed, trussed).
• Explore the behavior of cold-formed steel under fire and seismic conditions.
• Learn about corrosion protection and durability considerations for CFS structures.
• Develop skills in using specialized software for cold-formed steel design and detailing.
• Understand the constructability, economic benefits, and sustainability aspects of CFS construction.
• Explore advanced topics such as perforations, composite action, and modular construction.
• Formulate comprehensive design solutions for a wide range of cold-formed steel projects.

Course Content

Module 1. Introduction to Cold-Formed Steel (CFS)

• What is Cold-Formed Steel?: Manufacturing process and applications
• Advantages of CFS: Lightweight, high strength-to-weight ratio, versatility, sustainability
• Common CFS Products: C-sections, Z-sections, hats, tubes
• Material properties of cold-formed steel
• Comparison with hot-rolled steel and other construction materials

Module 2. CFS Design Codes and Standards

• AISi (American Iron and Steel Institute) North American Specification (NAS) for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Structural Members
• Other relevant international codes (e.g., Eurocode 3 Part 1.3)
• Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) and Allowable Strength Design (ASD) for CFS
• Design Philosophy and safety factors
• Reference to design guides and commentaries

Module 3. Section Properties of Cold-Formed Steel Members

• Gross Section Properties: Area, moments of inertia, section moduli
• Effective Width Concept: Accounting for local buckling effects
• Iterative procedures for effective width calculation
• Properties of stiffened and unstiffened elements
• Influence of holes and perforations on section properties

Module 4. Design of Cold-Formed Steel Members in Compression

• Overall Column Buckling: Flexural, torsional, and flexural-torsional buckling
• Local Buckling of Stiffened and Unstiffened Elements
• Distortional Buckling: Mechanism and design considerations
• Effective Area for Compression Members
• Design of CFS studs in walls and columns

Module 5. Design of Cold-Formed Steel Members in Bending

• Yielding and Elastic Buckling: Of flanges and webs
• Lateral-Torsional Buckling of Beams: Design considerations
• Serviceability: Deflection limits for CFS beams
• Design of CFS joists and rafters
• Web crippling and shear strength

Module 6. Design of Cold-Formed Steel Members in Shear and Combined Forces

• Shear Capacity: Of webs and connections
• Combined Axial Force and Bending: Interaction equations
• Combined Bending and Shear
• Torsional loading and design considerations
• Design of CFS lintels and headers

Module 7. Cold-Formed Steel Connections

• Screw Connections: Types, shear and pull-out strength
• Bolted Connections: Design of bolted joints, bearing, tearout
• Welded Connections: Spot welds, arc welds, limitations for CFS
• Power Actuated Fasteners (PAFs) and Rivets
• Proprietary connection systems for CFS framing

Module 8. Cold-Formed Steel Wall Systems

• Load-Bearing Walls: Design of studs, tracks, bracing
• Shear Walls: Diaphragm action, sheathing materials (plywood, OSB, gypsum board)
• Design for in-plane and out-of-plane loads
• Bracing requirements for CFS wall studs
• Fire rating considerations for CFS walls

Module 9. Cold-Formed Steel Floor and Roof Systems

• Floor Joists: Design, bridging, composite action with decking
• Roof Trusses: Design of individual members and connections
• Diaphragm Design: For horizontal load distribution
• Floor and Roof Decks: Steel decking for composite and non-composite systems
• Vibration analysis for CFS floor systems

Module 10. Cold-Formed Steel Trusses and Bracing Systems

• Truss Configurations: Open web, pitched roof trusses
• Design of individual truss members and panel point connections
• Lateral Bracing: For overall frame stability
• Bridging and strapping requirements for CFS members
• Seismic bracing for CFS structures

Module 11. Fire Protection of Cold-Formed Steel Structures

• Fire Performance of Steel: Loss of strength at elevated temperatures
• Fire Resistance Ratings: Achieving required ratings for CFS assemblies
• Protection Methods: Gypsum board, spray-applied fire resistive materials
• Detailing for fire safety in CFS framing
• Fire stops and draft stops

Module 12. Corrosion Protection and Durability of CFS

• Galvanization: Zinc coatings for corrosion resistance
• Other Coatings: Paints, primers, specialized coatings
• Environmental factors affecting corrosion: Moisture, salinity, pollutants
• Detailing for durability: Flashing, ventilation, moisture barriers
• Long-term performance and service life of CFS structures

Module 13. Seismic Design of Cold-Formed Steel Structures

• Seismic Force Resisting Systems: CFS shear walls, moment frames
• Ductile Detailing: For seismic performance
• Design for diaphragm action under seismic loads
• Importance of connections in seismic CFS design
• Code provisions for seismic design of CFS structures

Module 14. Advanced CFS Applications and Hybrid Systems

• Modular Construction: Using CFS for prefabricated modules
• Light Steel Framing (LSF): Applications in residential and commercial buildings
• Composite CFS Systems: With concrete or other materials
• CFS in high-rise applications (e.g., infill walls)
• Innovative CFS sections and systems

Module 15. Software Applications and Case Studies

• Specialized Software: CFS Designer, FRAMECAD Structure, Vertex BD, RISA-3D (with CFS modules)
• Modeling Techniques: Member definition, connection detailing
• Interpretation of software analysis and design results
• Case Studies: Real-world applications of cold-formed steel construction
• Practical design exercises and detailing workshops.

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 7 working days before commencement of the training.