What is the difference between hot-rolled steel and cold-formed steel?
• Cold-formed steel (CFS) is typically limited to light thicknesses (up to 3.00 mm) while hot rolled steel can be manufactured to any desired thickness. • CFS shapes are different than hot rolled shapes and endless geometrical shapes can be produced. • CFS is manufactured at room temperature while hot rolled steel is made at elevated temperatures. • CFS lightweight makes it easier and more economical to mass-produce, transport and install. • In the design of hot-rolled steel shapes, the primarily concern is column buckling and lateral buckling of unbraced beams. The dimensions of hot-rolled shapes are such that local buckling of individual elements generally will not occur before yielding. In the case of CFS local buckling must also be considered because, in most cases, the material used is thin relative to its width. This means that the individual flat, or plate, elements of the section often have width to thickness ratios that will permit buckling at stresses well below the yield poi
