Análise comparativa de desempenho e eficiência estrutural de vigas secundárias no sistema Light Steel Frame

Abstract

The Light Steel Frame (LSF) construction system has gained prominence in the construction industry due to its lightweight characteristics, rapid assembly process, and high level of industrialization. In this context, secondary floor beams play a fundamental role in load transfer and overall structural performance. This study aimed to carry out a comparative analysis of the structural performance and efficiency of different cold-formed steel profiles used as secondary beams in LSF floor systems subjected to high loading conditions, considering a fitness center as a case study. The adopted methodology consisted of determining permanent and variable loads according to Brazilian technical standards, performing analytical verifications related to Ultimate Limit States (ULS) and Serviceability Limit States (SLS), including bending resistance, shear resistance, stability, and deflection control, as well as comparing different commercial profiles with the objective of structural optimization. In addition, the analytical results were compared with computational simulations based on the Finite Element Method (FEM), allowing the evaluation of the actual behavior of the profiles and the influence of local instability phenomena. The results demonstrated significant differences among the analyzed solutions, showing that profile selection should not be based solely on global strength, but also on aspects related to stability, stiffness, and material efficiency. It is concluded that the integration of code-based design procedures and computational simulation tools contributes to a safer and more rational selection of structural profiles, providing greater reliability in the design of secondary beams for Light Steel Frame systems subjected to high loading conditions.