This research presents a new approach formula that predicts the
flexural behavior of steel cold-formed I-beam with strengthened hollow tubular
flanges. Rectangularity aspect ratio and strength of the strengthening material
effect on the flexural behavior of steel cold-formed I-beam with strengthened
hollow tubular flanges were studied and analyzed. A wide range of investigations
was carried to figure out the effect of the hollow flanges rectangularity aspect
ratio and its strengthening material. Eighty-eight numerical models were created
and analyzed using the finite element technique. Three-dimensional nonlinear
finite element models were prepared using eight nodes solid element with three
degrees of freedom per node. Material nonlinearity and geometric effects have
been considered in the model analysis. A good agreement between the
experimental work done by the authors [1] and FE-model results was achieved
and presented. The ultimate load values of the strengthened models were
presented and compared with non-strengthened models. The increase of
rectangularity aspect ratio and strength of the strengthening material lead to an
increase in the section capacity of the studied models. Finally, new equations for
the values of the section capacity of the strengthened sections were deduced,
taking into account the factors described in this study.