Abstract: | Tall building columns are subjected to high axial loads particularly at lower levels. In zones of high seismicity, these columns have to maintain their axial load carrying capacity during an earthquake. Conventional ordinary reinforced concrete, structural steel and concrete filled tube columns are not as effective as steel confined concrete columns. Steel tubed concrete columns are more ductile and have higher lateral resistance even under high axial compressive loads. In this paper, the seismic behavior of steel confined reinforced concrete columns is presented. Results were compared with those of ordinary reinforced concrete columns. The test results suggest that steel confined reinforced concrete columns are more ductile and have better seismic performance than ordinary reinforced concrete columns. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |