Abstract
This paper presents an experimental investigation of short cold-formed lipped channel
columns compressed between pinned ends. The short columns are subjected to pure axial
compressive loading. Twelve column specimens are tested and the columns are categorised
into three groups, depending on the length and thickness. The buckling modes of failure that
occurred include local buckling and distortional buckling. A comparison of the experimental
results with the loads predicted by the South African standard for the design of cold-formed
steelwork (SANS 10162-2) shows that the code is not conservative enough to cater for these
columns.