optimization of cold-formed steel channel columns

Sixteen cold-formed steel channel columns with different combinations of edge and web stiffeners under axial compression forces up to failure were numerically investigated using finite element (fe) analysis program, ansys. the behavior characteristics; the ultimate load, stiffness, ductility and energy absorption have been selected and separately analyzed in relation to column parameters. to determine the single-performance optimization of each characteristic, taguchi method was applied. the multi-performance optimization was also investigated using taguchi method coupled with grey relational analysis to achieve the favorable column characteristics and to investigate the multiple-performance characteristics index of each column. the results indicated that for multi-response and a single response, the predicted results are confirmed and the errors in the predicted values using the taguchi method with respect to the numerical values using ansys are acceptable and also they indicated that broken straight line web stiffener factor (ws3) was the highest contributing parameters for variation of the ultimate load of cfs columns.