Experimental and numerical investigations on large-section rectangular CFT columns with distributive beam under axial compression

In order to improve the co-working performance between the core concrete and steel tube for large-section rectangular concrete-filled steel tubular (LSCFT) columns when a vertical load is directly applied to the steel tube, a distributive beam is proposed as a load transferring measure. Four scaled LSCFT column specimens with different details were tested under axial compression to investigate the mechanical behavior and load transferring mechanism of the LSCFT columns with a distributive beam. The experimental results indicated that the bearing capacity of the LSCFT columns without a distributive beam was close to the yield capacity of the steel tube and the load shared by the core concrete was negligible. In contrast, the specimen with a distributive beam and inner stiffeners could bear a much higher load. In addition, refined nonlinear finite element models were developed to further analyze the load-transferring mechanism of LSCFT columns with different details. The numerical results showed that the ultimate load of the specimen with a distributive beam and inner stiffeners was much closer to the theoretical value calculated from Chinese code CECS159:2004. Setting a distributive beam and inner stiffeners simultaneously in LSCFT columns could ensure the cooperation between the core concrete and steel tube.