Open Access

ARTICLE

Analysis of Geometric Imperfections in Cold-formed Aluminium Alloy Channel Members

Hieu Nghia Hoang¹, Ngoc Hieu Pham^2,*, Quoc Anh Vu², Trong Nghia Mai²

1 Faculty of Technology and Engineering, Haiphong University, Haiphong, Vietnam
2 Faculty of Civil Engineering, Hanoi Architectural University, Hanoi, Vietnam

* Corresponding Author: Ngoc Hieu Pham. Email:

Structural Durability & Health Monitoring 2026, 20(4), 10 https://doi.org/10.32604/sdhm.2026.079079

Received 14 January 2026; Accepted 17 March 2026; Issue published 30 June 2026

Abstract

The paper presents an analysis of measured geometric imperfections in cold-formed aluminium alloy channel members that is the base for the proposal of representative values for each imperfection component for use in future research and design standards. Cold-formed aluminium alloy sections have recently been developed and found to be more cost-effective than conventional extruded sections. Cold-formed metal sections typically contain significant geometric imperfections; the effects of these imperfections have been demonstrated in numerous previous studies and should therefore be considered in analyses. Cold-formed aluminium sections remain relatively new worldwide, and available data on their geometric imperfections are still limited. This study, therefore, compiles measured imperfection data from a national research project on cold-formed aluminium sections. These data are classified according to individual imperfection components, and then representative values are proposed based on section thickness and slenderness. The proposed values are validated through comparison between finite element model predictions and experimental results for cold-formed aluminium alloy channel members. It is found that very good agreement is observed between the two results. The paper also provides coefficients of variation to account for the effects of geometric imperfections on the strength of cold-formed aluminium members. These coefficients can be considered for inclusion in design standards.

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Keywords

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