Numerical modelling and design of cold-formed steel battens subject to pull-out failures under bushfire conditions

Thin and high strength cold-formed steel (CFS) battens and claddings serve as non-combustible elements in roof and wall cladding systems, aligning with the recommendations of Australian bushfire standards. However, they are susceptible to significant damage from heat and strong winds experienced during bushfire events, particularly in the form of batten pull-out failures. Such failures may occur at the screw connections between cladding and battens, or battens and trusses/rafters. However, pull-out failures often occur in the thinner CFS battens, when the screw fastener pulls out of the batten's top flange, leading to the loss of entire cladding and compromising the integrity of the building envelope. This study used finite element modelling of a range of CFS batten configurations to investigate their pull-out failures under combined wind action and bushfire conditions. Finite element models were developed to simulate the pull-out failures at elevated temperatures, validated using experimental results and used in a parametric study to investigate the effects of relevant parameters. Using the results, this study has proposed suitable design equations for predicting the pull-out capacities of CFS battens at elevated temperatures. Engineers can use them to design bushfire safe CFS cladding systems.