> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://calcs.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Design a Cold-Formed Steel Stud / Column to AS/NZS 4600:2018

> Design cold-formed steel studs and columns to AS/NZS 4600:2018. Full Australian light gauge section library with strong-axis, weak-axis, and torsional bracing.

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    <div className="calc-details-chips"><span className="calc-chip calc-chip--region">Australia</span><span className="calc-chip calc-chip--primary">AS/NZS 4600:2018</span></div>
    <div className="calc-details-head"><span className="calc-card-icon">    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/clearcalcs/32krV4BnKnXD1TTf/images/calculator-icons/fc7d8b48ace2758c69652dd971c303e211b0560c3b55930ed1bd0863fdfc6b39.svg?fit=max&auto=format&n=32krV4BnKnXD1TTf&q=85&s=b8a536e6bda031b05a21c0c196b3e17f" alt="" width="24" height="24" loading="lazy" data-path="images/calculator-icons/fc7d8b48ace2758c69652dd971c303e211b0560c3b55930ed1bd0863fdfc6b39.svg" /></span><p className="calc-details-name">Cold-Formed Steel Stud / Column</p><a className="calc-details-run" href="https://app.calcs.com/new/sheet/cfsSteelColumnAU">Run the calc</a></div>
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<div className="calc-answer">
  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.
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Design and analyze cold-formed steel studs and columns to AS/NZS 4600:2018 using the Calcs.com cold-formed steel column calculator. With a database of all common Australian light gauge and cold formed sections, the calculator enables the easy modeling of axial loading on a cold-formed steel column with support for variable strong axis, weak axis, and torsional bracing.

## Method & scope

| Property         | Detail                                                                                                                                       |
| ---------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Design standards | AS/NZS 4600:2018                                                                                                                             |
| Regions          | Australia & New Zealand                                                                                                                      |
| Presets          | Generic Concentrically-Loaded Column, Interior Stud Wall, Exterior Stud Wall                                                                 |
| What it checks   | Structural analysis, Compression capacity, Bending capacity, Combined bending and compression, Shear and combined actions, Deflection limits |

#### Calculation method

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.

## How to use it

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the calculator">
    Open it from **Run calc** in the About this calculator panel above. To start from a typical setup, choose one of the presets listed there.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter your inputs">
    Work through the input sections from top to bottom. Click any input label to see its reference explanation, clause, conditions and assumptions. See [Checks, References, Conditions and Assumptions](/docs/running-calculations/checking-results/checks-references-conditions-assumptions).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review the results and export">
    Check the utilization of each governing check in the summary, then export a PDF report. See [Views and Export](/docs/running-calculations/exporting-reports/views-and-export).
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Available presets

Each preset opens the calculator with a typical setup already entered.

| Preset                                                          | Open in Calcs.com                                                                            |
| --------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| <span id="genericColumn" />Generic Concentrically-Loaded Column | [Run with preset](https://app.calcs.com/new/sheet/cfsSteelColumnAU?presetCode=genericColumn) |
| <span id="interiorStud" />Interior Stud Wall                    | [Run with preset](https://app.calcs.com/new/sheet/cfsSteelColumnAU?presetCode=interiorStud)  |
| <span id="exteriorStud" />Exterior Stud Wall                    | [Run with preset](https://app.calcs.com/new/sheet/cfsSteelColumnAU?presetCode=exteriorStud)  |

## Common questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="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.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="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.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="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.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How does the calculator handle lining and nogging restraints?">
    Lining types (e.g. 10mm plasterboard, fiber 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.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="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.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="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.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Australia & New Zealand Calculator Library" icon="list" href="/docs/calculators/au#cfsSteelColumnAU">
    Complete list of Calcs.com design calculators available for Australian and New Zealand projects (AS 3600, AS 4100, AS 1720, AS/NZS 1170, and related standards).
  </Card>

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    Design cold-formed steel beams to AS/NZS 4600:2018 using the Direct Strength Method, with a built-in database of Australian CFS sections.
  </Card>

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    Design cold-formed steel members to AS/NZS 4600:2018 by the Direct Strength Method. Input analysis forces to check moment, shear, bearing, and combined actions.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Design a Cold Formed Steel Beam to AISI S100-16/CSA S136-16" icon="calculator" href="/docs/calculators/us/beams/cfsSteelBeamAISI">
    Design cold-formed steel beams to AISI S100-16(2020) w/S2-20 with the Direct Strength Method. Checks flexure, shear, web crippling and deflection.
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