Flexural strength analysis of non-post-tensioned and post-tensioned concrete-filled circular steel tubes

Concrete-filled circular steel tubes (CFT) have recently gained significant attention for their enhanced strength and ductility over the conventional steel and reinforced concrete construction. The concrete compressive strength is significantly increased by the lateral confinement provided by the steel tube and local buckling of the steel tube is restrained by the concrete infill. This paper investigates the further enhancement of these composite actions due to post-tensioning the concrete cores inside circular steel tubes. The flexural behavior of a post-tensioned CFT as well as a non-post-tensioned CFT was studied experimentally and analytically. A numerical algorithm for predicting the moment capacities of circular CFT, with or without the post-tensioning effects, has been validated against the test results by the authors as well as those published in the literature.