Structural Efficiency and Dynamic Stability of Thin-Walled Steel Profiles: A Finite Element Analysis Perspective

Cold-formed thin-walled steel profiles are among the principal load-carrying components of lightweight steel structures, and their cross-sectional geometry plays a significant role in structural performance. C-, M-, U-, and Z-profiles are widely preferred in lightweight structural applications. This study presents a finite element-based, performance-oriented comparison of C-, M-, U-, and Z-section thin-walled steel profiles with comparable overall geometric dimensions. Directional deformation and deflection were investigated under different loading and boundary conditions. Modal analyses were also carried out to examine the natural vibration characteristics of the profiles. The results indicate that the C-section exhibited the lowest directional deformation, demonstrating the highest stiffness among the investigated profiles. In contrast, the Z-section exhibits greater lateral stiffness due to its asymmetric cross-sectional geometry. The findings demonstrate that cross-sectional geometry significantly influences the bending stiffness, torsional sensitivity, and vibration characteristics of thin-walled steel profiles. Overall, the results present a comparative assessment of commonly used thin-walled steel profiles and provide a numerical reference for selecting suitable profile geometries in lightweight structural applications.