Behaviour of concrete-filled steel tubular stub columns subjected to axially local compression

The behaviour of concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) stub columns subjected to axially local compression was experimentally investigated in this paper. A total of thirty-two specimens were tested. The main parameters varied in the tests are: (1) sectional types: circular and square; (2) local compression area ratio (concrete cross-sectional area to local compression area): 1.44 and 16; and (3) thickness of the endplate: from 2 to 12 mm. A finite element analysis modelling was used for the analysis of CFST stub columns subjected to axially local compression, and a comparison of results calculated using this modelling shows generally good agreement with the test results. The theoretical modelling was then used to investigate the mechanism of the composite columns subjected to axially local compression.     

高性能混凝土钢管柱的试验研究

目前,高性能混凝土逐渐引起了结构工程师和研究人员的兴趣。作为高性能混凝土,自加固混凝土(SCC)具有高流动性,可以不借助机械振动而填充入构件。SCC的特性让这种材料变得极具经济价值,并且在施工及工程方面都具有优势。本文旨在研究薄壁钢管中填充这种高强度混凝土的可能性。对28根填充高性能混凝土的薄壁柱进行试验,主要参数有:1)截面类型:圆形或者方形;2)长细比:12~120;3)荷载偏心率比:0~0·6。计算结果与基于AISC,EC4和DBJ13-51-2003规范设计的柱强度相对比。     

Experimental study of high strength concrete-filled circular tubular columns under eccentric loading

The paper describes 37 tests conducted on slender circular tubular columns filled with normal and high strength concrete subjected to eccentric axial load. The test parameters were the nominal strength of concrete (30, 70 and 90 MPa), the diameter to thickness ratio D/t, the eccentricity ratio e/D and the column slenderness (L/D). The experimental ultimate load of each test was compared with the design loads from Eurocode 4, which limits the strength of concrete up to 50 MPa. The aim of the paper is to establish the advisability of the use of high strength concretes as opposed to that of normal strength concretes by comparing three performance indices: concrete contribution ratio, strength index and ductility index. The results show for the limited cases analyzed that the use of high strength concrete for slender composite columns is interesting since this achieves ductile behavior despite the increase in load-carrying capacity is not greatly enhanced.     

Experimental behaviour of thin-walled hollow structural steel (HSS) columns filled with self-consolidating concrete (SCC)

In modern building construction, thin-walled hollow structural steel (HSS) sections are often filled with concrete to form a composite column. In recent years, the use of self-consolidating concrete (SCC), or self-compacting concrete, in such kinds of columns has been of interest to many structural engineers. Due to its rheological properties, the disadvantage of vibration can be eliminated while still obtaining good consolidation. Apart from reliability and constructability, advantages such as elimination of noise in processing plants, and the reduction of construction time and labor cost can be achieved. It is expected that SCC will be used in concrete-filled HSS columns in the future because of its good performance. However, the composite members are susceptible to the influence of concrete compaction. The lack of information on the behavior of HSS columns filled with SCC indicates a need for further research in this area.The present study is an attempt to study the possibility of using thin-walled HSS columns filled with SCC. New test data on 38 HSS columns filled with SCC to investigate the influence of concrete compaction methods on the member capacities of the composite columns are reported. The specimen tests allowed for the different conditions likely to arise in the manufacture of concrete: cured, well compacted with a poker vibrator, well compacted by hand, and self-consolidating without any vibration. The main parameters varied in the tests are: (1) column section type, circular and square; (2) tube diameter (or depth) to thickness ratio, from 33 to 67; and (3) load eccentricity ratio (e/r), from 0 to 0.3 mm. Comparisons are made with predicted column strengths using the existing codes such as AISC-LRFD-1999, AIJ-1997, BS5400-1979, EC4-1994, DL5085/T-1999 and GJB4142-2000.     

Cyclic performance of repaired concrete-filled steel tubular columns after exposure to fire

This paper provides new test data of cyclic behavior of repaired concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) columns after exposure to fire, the fire-damaged CFST columns being strengthened by wrapping the original columns by concrete and a thin-walled steel tube. The test parameters included the cross-section type (circular, square and rectangular), and the axial load level (0, 0.3, 0.6). It was found that all the test specimens behaved in a ductile manner and testing proceeded in a smooth and controlled way. Based on the experiment measurements, the ultimate lateral strength, flexural stiffness, dissipated energy and ductility of the columns are analyzed and compared. The test results indicate that the ultimate lateral strength and flexural stiffness of concrete-filled hollow structural columns decrease after exposure to fire, however, the ductility of the columns was not adversely affected due to the fire exposure. The test results also indicate that the strength and stiffness of the fire-damaged columns can be restored over the original level of the specimens.     

Experimental behaviour of recycled aggregate concrete filled steel tubular columns

This paper describes a series of tests on steel tubular columns of circular and square section filled with normal concrete and recycled aggregate concrete. Thirty specimens, including 24 recycled aggregate concrete filled steel tubular (RACFST) columns and 6 normal concrete filled steel tubular (CFST) columns, were tested to investigate the influence of variations in the tube shape, circular or square, concrete type, normal concrete and recycled aggregate concrete, and load eccentricity ratio, from 0 to 0.53 on the performance of such composite columns. The test results show that both types of filled columns failed due to overall buckling. Comparisons are made with predicted ultimate strengths of RACFST columns using the existing codes, such as ACI 318-1999, AIJ-1997, AISC-LRFD-1999, BS5400-1979, DBJ13-51-2003 and EC4-1994. A theoretical model for normal CFST columns is adopted in this paper for RACFST columns. The predicted load versus deformation relationships are in good agreement with test results.     

Ultimate capacity of rectangular concrete-filled steel tubular columns under unequal load eccentricities

The paper describes 36 experimental tests conducted on rectangular and square tubular columns filled with normal and high strength concrete and subjected to a non-constant bending moment distribution with respect to the weak axis. The test parameters were the nominal strength of concrete (30 and 90 MPa), the cross-section aspect ratio (square or rectangular), the thickness (4 or 5 mm) and the ratio of the top and bottom first order eccentricities e_top/e_bottom (1, 0.5, 0 and − 0.5). The ultimate load of each test was compared with the design loads from Eurocode 4, presenting unsafe results inside a 10% safety margin. The tests show that the use of high strength concrete is more useful for the cases of non-constant bending moment, whereas if the aim is to obtain a more ductile behavior the use of concrete-filled columns is more appealing in the cases of normal strength concrete with non-constant bending moments because, although they resist less axial force than the members with HSC, they obtain a softened post-peak behavior.     

Experimental investigation of concrete-filled cold-formed high strength stainless steel tube columns

This paper presents an experimental investigation of concrete-filled cold-formed high strength stainless steel tube columns. The high strength stainless steel tubes had a yield stress and tensile strength up to 536 and 961 MPa, respectively. The behaviour of the columns was investigated using different concrete cylinder strengths varied from 40 to 80 MPa. A series of tests was performed to investigate the effects of the shape of the stainless steel tube, plate thickness and concrete strength on the behaviour and strength of concrete-filled high strength stainless steel tube columns. The high strength stainless steel tubes were cold-rolled into square and rectangular hollow sections. The depth-to-plate thickness ratio of the tube sections varied from 25.7 for compact sections to 55.8 for relatively slender sections. The columns had different lengths so the length-to-depth ratio generally remained at a constant value of 3. The concrete-filled high strength stainless steel tube specimens were subjected to uniform axial compression. The column strengths, load-axial strain relationships and failure modes of the columns were presented. The test strengths were compared with the design strengths calculated using the American specifications and Australian/New Zealand standards that consider the effect of local buckling using an effective width concept in the calculation of the stainless steel tube column strengths. Based on the test results, design recommendations were proposed for concrete-filled high strength stainless steel tube columns.     

Cyclic performance of concrete-filled steel CHS columns under flexural loading

Concrete-filled steel CHS (circular hollow section) columns are currently being increasingly used in the construction of buildings. Limited information is available on the models for the moment (M) versus curvature (?) response, and the lateral load (P) versus lateral displacement (Δ) relationship of these columns subjected to axial load and cyclically increasing flexural loading.Eight concrete-filled steel CHS specimens were tested under constant axial load and cyclically increasing flexural loading. The parameters in the study included the concrete strength (f_cu) and the axial load level (n). A mechanics model is developed in this paper for concrete-filled steel CHS columns subjected to constant axial load and cyclically increasing flexural loading. The predicted cyclic responses for the composite columns are in good agreement with test results.Based on the theoretical model, parametric analysis was performed on the behaviours of the moment (M) versus curvature (?) response, and the lateral load (P) versus lateral displacement (Δ) relationship, as well as the ductility coefficient (μ) for the composite columns. Finally, simplified models for the moment (M) versus curvature (?) response, and the lateral load (P) versus lateral displacement (Δ) relationship are suggested. A formula for the calculation of the ductility coefficient (μ) of the composite columns under constant axial load and cyclically increasing flexural loading is developed.     

Nonlinear behavior of concrete-filled stainless steel stiffened slender tube columns

This paper investigates the nonlinear behavior of concrete-filled high strength stainless steel stiffened slender square and rectangular hollow section columns. The stiffened slender tubes had overall depth-to-plate thickness (D/t) ratios ranging 60–160. The concrete strengths covered normal and high-strength concrete. The investigation focused on short axially loaded columns. A nonlinear finite element (FE) model has been developed to study the behavior of the concrete-filled stiffened tube columns. A parametric study was conducted to investigate the effects of cross-section geometry and concrete strength on the behavior and strength of the columns. The results of the concrete-filled stiffened tube columns were compared with the results of the companion concrete-filled unstiffened tube columns. It is shown that the concrete-filled stiffened slender tube columns offer a considerable increase in the column strength and ductility than the concrete-filled unstiffened slender tube columns. The column strengths obtained from the FE analysis were compared with the design strengths calculated using the American specifications and Australian/New Zealand standards. A design equation was proposed for concrete-filled stainless steel stiffened slender tube columns. It is shown that the proposed modified equation provides more accurate design strengths compared to the American and Australian/New Zealand predictions.     

Further study on the flexural behaviour of concrete-filled steel tubes

This paper is a further study on the flexural behaviour of concrete-filled steel tubes based on the former work presented by Han [Han LH. Flexural behaviour of concrete-filled steel tubes. Journal of Constructional Steel Research 2004;60(2):313-37]. A total of 36 composite beam specimens filled with self-consolidating concrete (SCC) were tested. The main parameters varied in the tests are: (1) sectional types (circular and square); (2) steel yielding strength (from 235 to 282 MPa); (3) the ratio of tube diameter (or width) to wall thickness, D/t (from 47 to 105), and (4) the ratio of shear span to depth (from 1.25 to 6). Comparisons are made with predicted beam capacities using the existing methods, such as AIJ-1997 [Architectural Institute of Japan (AIJ). Recommendations for design and construction of concrete filled steel tubular structures. 1997], AISC-LRFD-1999 [AISC. Load and resistance factor design specification for structural steel buildings. Chicago: American Institute of Steel Construction, Inc.; 1999], BS5400-1979 [British Standard Institute: BS5400, Part 5, Concrete and composite bridges. 1979], EC4-1994 [Eurocode 4. Design of composite steel and concrete structures, Part 1.1: General rules and rules for buildings (together with United Kingdom National Application Document). DD ENV 1994-1-1:1994. London W1A2BS: British Standards Institution; 1994] and the method proposed by Han [Han LH. Flexural behaviour of concrete-filled steel tubes. Journal of Constructional Steel Research 2004;60(2):313-37].Applied calculation formulae of moment versus curvature curves and the flexural stiffness of concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) beams are presented, based on the mechanics model of Han [Han LH. Flexural behaviour of concrete-filled steel tubes. Journal of Constructional Steel Research 2004;60(2):313-37]. Comparisons are made with predicted beam flexural stiffness using different methods, such as AIJ-1997, AISC-LRFD-1999, BS5400-1979, EC4-1994 and the method proposed in this paper. Comparisons are also made between the simplified model and the mechanics model, and generally good agreement is achieved.     

Analytical behaviour of concrete-filled double skin steel tubular (CFDST) stub columns

This paper reports a finite element analysis of the compressive behaviour of CFDST stub columns with SHS (square hollow section) or CHS (circular hollow section) outer tube and CHS inner tube. A set of test data reported by different researchers were used to verify the FE modelling. Typical curves of average stress versus longitudinal strain, stress distributions of concrete, interaction of concrete and steel tubes, as well as effects of hollow ratio on the behaviour of CFDST stub columns, were presented. The influences of important parameters that determine sectional capacities of the composite columns were investigated.     

Experimental behaviour of concrete-filled stiffened thin-walled steel tubular columns

An experimental study on the structural behaviour of concrete-filled stiffened thin-walled steel tubular columns is presented in this paper. The stiffening was achieved by welding longitudinal stiffeners on the inner surfaces of the steel tubes. Companion tests were also undertaken on 12 unstiffened concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) columns, with or without steel fibres in the infill concrete. The test results showed that the local buckling of the tubes was effectively delayed by the stiffeners. The plate buckling initially occurred when the maximum load had almost reached for stiffened specimens, thus they had higher serviceability benefits compared to those of unstiffened ones. Some of the existing design codes were used to predict the load-carrying capacities of the tested composite columns.     

Tests and calculations for hollow structural steel (HSS) stub columns filled with self-consolidating concrete (SCC)

The behaviour of self-consolidating concrete (SCC) filled hollow structural steel (HSS) stub columns subjected to an axial load was investigated experimentally. A total of 50 specimens were tested. The main parameters varied in the tests are: (1) sectional types: circular and square; (2) steel yielding strength: from 282 to 404 MPa; and (3) tube diameter or width to wall thickness ratio (D/t or B/t): from 30 to 134.A mechanics model is developed in this paper for concrete-filled HSS stub columns. A unified theory is described whereby a confinement factor (ξ) is introduced to describe the composite action of the steel tube and the filled concrete. The predicted load versus deformation relationship was in good agreement with test results. The theoretical model was used to investigate the influence of important parameters that determine the ultimate strength of the composite columns. The parametric and experimental studies provide information for the development of formulae for the calculation of the ultimate strength and the axial load versus axial strain curves of the composite columns. Comparisons are made with predicted stub column strengths using the existing codes, such as ACI-1999, AISC-LRFD-1999, AIJ-1997, BS5400-1979 and EC4-1994.     

Simulation and design recommendations of eccentrically loaded slender concrete-filled tubular columns

This paper proposes an efficient numerical model for the simulation of the behavior of slender circular concrete-filled tubular columns subjected to eccentric axial load with single curvature, for the cases of both normal and high strength concrete. The paper focuses on the study of the influence that the variables affecting beam-column behavior (length and relative slenderness) and the variables affecting section behavior (diameter/thickness ratio, mechanical capacity of steel) have on the overall buckling of this type of column. An extended parametric study is carried out to propose design recommendations, primarily to establish the importance of the use of high strength concrete compared with that of normal strength concrete. The results show that for slender elements the optimum design is reached when the mechanical capacity of the steel is slightly lower than that of the concrete contribution.     

Fire behavior of axially loaded slender high strength concrete-filled tubular columns

This paper describes sixteen fire tests conducted on slender circular hollow section columns filled with normal and high strength concrete, subjected to concentric axial loads. The test parameters were the nominal strength of concrete (30 and 80 MPa), the infilling type (plain concrete, reinforced concrete and steel fiber reinforced concrete) and the axial load level (20% and 40%). The columns were tested under fixed-pinned boundary conditions and the relative slenderness at room temperature was higher than 0.5 in all of the cases. A numerical model was validated against the tests, in order to extend the results and understand the failure mode of such columns. It is the aim of this paper to study the influence in a fire situation of the use of high strength concrete, as opposed to normal strength concrete. The results have shown that for slender columns subjected to high temperatures, the behavior of high strength concrete was different than for stub columns, spalling not being observed in the experiments. Furthermore, the addition of steel fibers was not found very advantageous in slender columns, since no increment in terms of fire resistance was obtained for the columns which used this type of reinforcement. However, the addition of reinforcing bars seems to be the solution in some cases, where the use of external fire protection wants to be avoided in the design of HSS structures, since the reinforcing bars allow the tube to resist a higher axial load.     

Experimental study of hysteretic behaviour for concrete-filled square thin-walled steel tubular columns

In this paper, the hysteretic behaviour of concrete-filled thin-walled steel tubular (CFTST) columns was investigated experimentally. The parameters in the study included the axial load level and steel tube section type. Nine CFTST columns, including six columns with a longitudinal stiffener on each inner face of the steel tube and three columns with a longitudinal stiffener on the two opposite inner faces of the steel tube, were tested under a constant axial load in addition to a cyclic lateral load. The effect of axial load level on the hysteretic behaviour (stiffness, ductility and energy dissipation) was studied. Experimental results indicated that the CFTST columns under an axial load level below 0.5 exhibited plump hysteretic loops with a slight pinching effect, better ductility and energy dissipation capacity. The displacement ductility decreases significantly with an increase in the axial load level. Columns with two steel tube sections had almost the same load capacity, whilst the ductility and energy dissipation capacity of columns with a longitudinal stiffener on each inner face of the steel tube was better than that of columns with two opposite stiffeners.     

Strength and ductility of high strength concrete-filled steel tubular beam-columns

The ultimate strength and ductility of high strength thin-walled concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) beam-columns with local buckling effects, are investigated in this paper, using a performance-based analysis (PBA) technique. The PBA technique accounts for the effects of geometric imperfections, residual stresses, strain hardening, local buckling and concrete confinement on the behavior of high strength thin-walled CFST beam-columns. The accuracy of the PBA technique is further examined by comparisons with experimental results. The PBA program is employed to study the effects of depth-to-thickness ratio, concrete compressive strengths, steel yield strengths and axial load levels on the stiffness, strength and ductility of high strength thin-walled CFST beam-columns under combined axial load and biaxial bending. The results obtained indicate that increasing the depth-to-thickness ratio and axial load levels significantly reduces the stiffness, strength and ductility of CFST beam-columns. Increasing concrete compressive strengths increases the stiffness and strength, but reduces the axial ductility and section performance of CFST beam-columns. Moreover, the steel yield strength has a significant effect on the section and strength performance of CFST beam-columns but does not have a significant effect on their axial and curvature ductility.     

Behaviour of short and slender concrete-filled stainless steel tubular columns

In this paper, a series of tests were carried out on short and slender concrete-filled stainless steel tubular columns to explore their performance under axial compression or combined actions of axial force and bending moment. Empty short steel hollow sections were also tested for comparison. The test results showed that the performance of the composite columns was quite good and have the potential to be used extensively as structural members. Comparisons of the test results were also made with several existing design methods for conventional concrete-filled carbon steel tubular columns as presented in Australian standard AS 5100 (2004), American code AISC (2005), Chinese code DBJ/T 13-51-2010 (2010), and Eurocode 4 (2004), which indicates that all the codes are somewhat conservative in predicting the load-carrying capacities of both short and slender columns.     

Nonlinear analysis of concrete-filled steel SHS and RHS columns

This paper presents an accurate nonlinear finite element model for the behaviour and design of axially loaded concrete-filled square hollow section (SHS) and rectangular hollow section (RHS) steel tube columns. The nonlinear material models for confined concrete and steel tubes were carefully modeled in the finite element analysis. The column strengths and load-axial shortening curves were evaluated. The results obtained from the finite element analysis were verified against experimental results. An extensive parametric study was conducted to investigate the effects of different concrete strengths and cross-section geometries on the strength and behaviour of concrete-filled SHS and RHS steel tube columns. The study was conducted over a wide range of concrete cube strengths ranged from 30 to 110 MPa. The overall depth of the steel tube-to-plate thickness ratio ranged from 10 to 40 covering compact SHS and RHS steel tube sections. The column strengths predicted from the finite element analysis were compared with the design strengths calculated using the American, Australian and European specifications. Based on the results obtained from the parametric study, it is found that the design strengths calculated using the American Specifications and Australian Standards are conservative, while the design strengths calculated using the European Code are accurate, except for the concrete-filled RHS compact steel tube columns having the overall depth of the steel tube-to-plate thickness ratio of 40.