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Calcs.com
AS/NZS 4600:2018Australia

Cold-Formed Steel Stud / Column

Link beam reactions directly from a CFS beam or analysis calculator above and the column loads update automatically - no manual re-entry when spans or loads change. Structural engineers designing cold-formed steel stud walls and isolated columns in residential, commercial, and industrial structures to AS/NZS 4600:2018. Suited to wall framing design where lining stiffness and nogging spacing govern effective lengths, and to engineers optimising section selection across a large library of Australian CFS profiles.

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What it calculates

Link beam reactions from above directly to this column - loads update automatically when the structure changes. Design cold-formed steel studs and columns to AS/NZS 4600:2018 with independently specified strong-axis, weak-axis, and torsional effective lengths. Lining type and nogging spacing set restraint conditions for wall framing.

Code standards

  • AS/NZS 4600:2018

How it calculates

The CFS Steel Column calculator designs cold-formed steel studs and columns to AS/NZS 4600:2018. It combines a structural FEA engine for moment and deflection with Direct Strength Method capacity checks for all failure modes.

Structural analysis

The calculator runs FEA on the column as a beam-column, resolving moments and deflections under axial and lateral loads. Supports can be pinned, fixed, or roller at each end. Distributed lateral loads and concentrated axial loads with eccentricity are applied. Self-weight is optionally included.

Compression capacity

Compression member capacity is the governing check for pure axial studs:

utilization = N*_c / phiN_c ≤ 1.0

phiN_c is derived using the DSM strength curves for local (N_l), distortional (N_d), and global (flexural and flexural-torsional, N_g) buckling. The elastic buckling loads for local and distortional modes are taken from the section library's FSM signature curves. Global buckling effective lengths are computed from the structural model, accounting for end fixity, nogging restraint, and lining stiffness contributions.

Bending capacity

Under eccentric loading or lateral loads the column experiences bending. Positive and negative moment member capacities are checked separately:

utilization = |M| / phiM_b ≤ 1.0*

Lateral-torsional buckling effective lengths in the strong axis, weak axis outer flange, weak axis inner flange, and torsional directions are computed individually, with lining fastener spacing and nogging count setting the sub-span bracing intervals.

Combined bending and compression

When both bending and compression demands are present:

utilization = MC_int ≤ 1.0

The interaction check follows AS/NZS 4600:2018 Clause 3.5 (or the equivalent DSM formulation).

Shear and combined actions

Shear capacity follows Clause 3.3.4:

utilization = |V| / phiV_v ≤ 1.0*

Combined bending and shear interaction is also checked where bending and shear demands are co-incident.

Deflection limits

Short-term (delta_s), long-term (delta_l), and imposed-load (delta_Q) extensions are each compared against span-based limits for interior spans (L/250) and cantilevers (L/150). An absolute hard limit can also be set for each case.

Related calculators

Cold-Formed Steel Beam (AS/NZS 4600:2018)→Cold-Formed Steel Member→Cold-Formed Steel Beam→Cold-Formed Steel Stud / Column→

Frequently asked questions

What design standard does this calculator use?
The calculator designs to AS/NZS 4600:2018 using the Direct Strength Method (DSM) from Clause 7 for local and distortional buckling. Appendix slenderness-based methods are not used.
What inputs does the calculator require?
Key inputs include column height, end condition (pinned, fixed, roller), axial load with eccentricity, distributed lateral loads, nogging count and spacing for weak-axis bracing, lining type on each face (which contributes rotational stiffness), and fastener spacing. The section is selected from the Australian CFS library.
What capacity checks does it perform?
The calculator checks compression member capacity (local, distortional, and global buckling via DSM), positive and negative moment member capacity, combined bending and compression interaction, shear capacity, combined bending and shear interaction, and short-term, long-term, and imposed-load deflection limits.
How does the calculator handle lining and nogging restraints?
Lining types (e.g. 10mm plasterboard, fibre cement) on the inner and outer faces are entered along with fastener spacing. The calculator derives the partial rotational restraint stiffness these provide for weak-axis and torsional bracing, directly influencing the effective lengths used in DSM buckling calculations.
Can I design a pure axial column without bending?
Yes. Select the Pure Compression connection type. Loads are applied as pure axial at the top with user-defined eccentricity. The calculator will still show moment capacity checks, but they will show zero demand if no lateral loads or eccentricities are applied.
How do I link beam reactions into this column calculator?
In a Calcs.com project, place the CFS Beam or Beam Analysis calculator upstream. In this column calculator, add the axial load row and use the link function to pull the beam's support reaction. Whenever the beam loads or span change, the column demand updates automatically - no manual transfer of reactions needed.

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