When a steel section is cold-formed from flat sheet or strip the yield strength increases as a result of this cold working, particularly in the bends of the section. Some of the main properties of cold formed steel are as follows:

• Lightness in weight
• High strength and stiffness
• Ease of prefabrication and mass production
• Fast and easy erection and installation
• Substantial elimination of delays due to weather
• More accurate detailing
• Non shrinking and non creeping at ambient temperatures
• No formwork needed
• Termite-proof and rot proof
• Uniform quality
• Economy in transportation and handling
• Non combustibility
• Recyclable material
• Panels and decks can provide enclosed cells for conduits.

The effect of cold working is thus to enhance the mean yield stress by 15% – 30%. For purposes of design, the yield stress may be regarded as having been enhanced by a minimum of 15%. Some of the main advantages of cold rolled sections, as compared with their hot-rolled counterparts are as follows:

• Cross sectional shapes are formed to close tolerances and these can be consistently repeated for as long as required.
• Cold rolling can be employed to produce almost any desired shape to any desired length.
• Pre-galvanised or pre-coated metals can be formed, so that high resistance to corrosion, besides an attractive surface finish, can be achieved.
• All conventional jointing methods, (i.e. riveting, bolting, welding and adhesives) can be employed.
• High strength to weight ratio is achieved in cold-rolled products.
• They are usually light making it easy to transport and erect.