[en] It is well known that the cold-forming process is likely to significantly enhance the
mechanical properties of the profile by strain hardening leading to increased resistance compared to a resistance assessment based on nominal properties. It is thus necessary to accurately determine the mechanical properties after the cold process of fabrication. The knowledge on these enhanced properties is rather good for profiles made of traditional construction steel (carbon steel with yield strength between 200 and 400 MPa) characterized by an elasticplastic behaviour. However less information is available for profiles made of materials exhibiting a non linear stress-strain relationship. In this context, the paper presents a parametric study on roll-profiled channel sections. For that purpose, the finite element code METAFOR developed at the LTAS division of the University of Liège is used to simulate the forming process of profiles made of high strength steel and of stainless steel. In the simulations, different values of the radius to thickness ratio of the corners are considered. The results of the
numerical simulations are expressed in terms of resulting proof strength in the corners versus
the radius to thickness ratio for the different materials. They are finally compared to existing
predictive formulations. Additional considerations are also given on the forming process itself
(i.e. on the configuration of the rolls or on the springback).
