Abstract
A model of the roll forming process developed previously by the authors was used to examine the effect of geometric variables such as flange length, thickness, bend angle, bend angle increment and roll diameter on the longitudinal strain developed in the roll forming of channel sections. The peak longitudinal strain was found to increase with flange length and then drop when the flange length reaches a critical value. The peak longitudinal strain was found to increase with thickness. In general, increasing the bend angle increment was found to increase the peak longitudinal strain despite the fact that the deformation length also increases. Increasing the roll diameter was found to decrease the peak longitudinal strain. The results from the study explain several roll forming phenomena observed in previous experimental studies.