• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.211-227
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• 2020

To explore the feasibility of eliminating the longitudinal rebars and stirrups by using ultra-high-performance fiber reinforcement concrete (UHPFRC) in concrete encased steel composite stub column, compressive behavior of UHPFRC encased steel stub column has been experimentally investigated. Effect of concrete types (normal strength concrete, high strength concrete and UHPFRC), fiber fractions, and transverse reinforcement ratio on failure mode, ductility behavior and axial compressive resistance of composite columns have been quantified through axial compression tests. The experimental results show that concrete encased composite columns with NSC and HSC exhibit concrete crushing and spalling failure, respectively, while composite columns using UHPFRC exhibit concrete spitting and no concrete spalling is observed after failure. The incorporation of steel fiber as micro reinforcement significantly improves the concrete toughness, restrains the crack propagation and thus avoids the concrete spalling. No evidence of local buckling of rebars or yielding of stirrups has been detected in composite columns using UHPFRC. Steel fibers improve the bond strength between the concrete and, rebars and core shaped steel which contribute to the improvement of confining pressure on concrete. Three prediction models in Eurocode 4, AISC 360 and JGJ 138 and a proposed toughness index (T.I.) are employed to evaluate the compressive resistance and post peak ductility of the composite columns. It is found that all these three models predict close the compressive resistance of UHPFRC encased composite columns with/without the transverse reinforcement. UHPFRC encased composite columns can achieve a comparable level of ductility with the reinforced concrete (RC) columns using normal strength concrete. In terms of compressive resistance behavior, the feasibility of UHPFRC encased steel composite stub columns with lesser longitudinal reinforcement and stirrups has been verified in this study.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.599-621
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• 2016

In order to study the working mechanism of rectangular steel-concrete composite columns subjected to compression-bending load and further determine the seismic performance index, a bottom strengthened rectangular steel reinforced concrete (SRC) column with concealed steel plates and a bottom strengthened rectangular concrete filled steel tube (CFST) columns were proposed. Six column models with different configurations were tested under horizontal low cyclic loading. Based on the experiments, the load-bearing capacity, stiffness and degradation process, ductility, hysteretic energy dissipation capacity, and failure characteristics of the models were analyzed. The load-bearing capacity calculation formulas for a normal section and an oblique section of bottom strengthened rectangular steel-concrete composite columns were pesented and a finite element (FE) numerical simulation of the classical specimens was performed. The study shows that the load-bearing capacity, ductility, and seismic energy dissipation capacity of the bottom strengthened rectangular steel-concrete composite columns are significantly improved compared to the conventional rectangular steel-concrete composite columns and the results obtained from the calculation and the FE numerical simulation are in good agreement with those from the experiments. The rectangular steel-concrete composite column with bottom strengthened shows better seismic behavior and higher energy dissipation capacity under suitable constructional requirements and it can be applied to the structure design of high-rise buildings.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.67-79
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• 2019

Composite columns made of high strength materials have been used in high-rise construction owing to its excellent structural performance resulting in smaller cross-sectional sizes. However, due to the limited understanding of its structural response, current design codes do not allow the use of high strength materials beyond a certain strength limit. This paper reports additional test data, analytical and numerical studies leading to a new design method to predict the ultimate resistance of composite columns made of high strength steel and high strength concrete. Based on previous study on high strength concrete filled steel tubular members and ongoing work on high strength concrete encased steel columns, this paper provides new findings and presents the feasibility of using high strength steel and high strength concrete for general double symmetric composite columns. A nonlinear finite element model has been developed to capture the composite beam-column behavior. The Eurocode 4 approach of designing composite columns is examined by comparing the test data with results obtained from code's predictions and finite element analysis, from which the validities of the concrete confinement effect and plastic design method are discussed. Eurocode 4 method is found to overestimate the resistance of concrete encased composite columns when ultra-high strength steel is used. Finally, a strain compatibility method is proposed as a modification of existing Eurocode 4 method to give reasonable prediction of the ultimate strength of concrete encased beam-columns with steel strength up to 900 MPa and concrete strength up to 100 MPa.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2004

Tests on steel tubular columns of square, rectangular and circular section filled with normal and lightweight aggregate concrete were conducted to investigate the failure modes of such composite columns. Thirty-six full scale columns filled with lightweight and normal weight aggregate concrete, eighteen specimens for each, were tested under axial loads. Nine hollow steel sections of similar specimens were also tested and results were compared to those of filled sections. The test results were illustrated by a number of load-deflection and axial deformation curves. The results showed that both types of filled columns failed due to overall buckling, while hollow steel columns failed due to bulging at their ends (local buckling). According to the above-mentioned results, and due to low specific gravity and thermal conductivity of the lightweight concrete the further interest should be concentrated in replacing the normal concrete by the lightweight aggregate concrete.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.103-120
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• 2021

This research examines the eccentric compression performance of composite columns composed of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC)-filled square steel tube and profile steel. A total of 17 specimens on the composite columns with different recycled coarse aggregate (RCA) replacement percentage, RAC strength, width to thickness ratio of square steel tube, profile steel ratio, eccentricity and slenderness ratio were subjected to eccentric compression tests. The failure process and characteristic of specimens under eccentric compression loading were observed in detail. The load-lateral deflection curves, load-train curves and strain distribution on the cross section of the composite columns were also obtained and described on the basis of test data. Results corroborate that the failure characteristics and modes of the specimens with different design parameters were basically similar under eccentric compression loads. The compression side of square steel tube yields first, followed by the compression side of profile steel. Finally, the RAC in the columns was crushed and the apparent local bulging of square steel tube was also observed, which meant that the composite column was damaged and failed. The composite columns under eccentric compression loading suffered from typical bending failure. Moreover, the eccentric bearing capacity and deformation of the specimens decreased as the RCA replacement percentage and width to thickness ratio of square steel tube increased, respectively. Slenderness ratio and eccentricity had a significantly adverse effect on the eccentric compression performance of composite columns. But overall, the composite columns generally had high-bearing capacity and good deformation. Meanwhile, the mechanism of the composite columns under eccentric compression loads was also analysed in detail, and the calculation formulas on the eccentric compression capacity of composite columns were proposed via the limit equilibrium analysis method. The calculation results of the eccentric compression capacity of columns are consistent with the test results, which verify the validity of the formulas, and the conclusions can serve as references for the engineering application of this kind of composite columns.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.169-188
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• 2004

A mechanics model is developed in this paper for concrete-filled steel CHS (circular hollow section) beam-columns. A unified theory is described where a confinement factor (${\xi}$) is introduced to describe the composite action between the steel tube and the filled concrete. The predicted load versus deformation relationship is in good agreement with test results. The theoretical model was used to investigate the influence of important parameters that determine the ultimate strength of concrete-filled steel CHS beam-columns. The parametric and experimental studies provide information for the development of formulas for the calculation of the ultimate strength of the composite beam-columns. Comparisons are made with predicted beam-columns strengths using the existing codes, such as LRFD-AISC-1999, AIJ-1997, BS5400-1979 and EC4-1994.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.1511-1529
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• 2015

This article provides an analysis of the complex character of stress distribution in concrete in stub columns consisting of two HE160A steel sections held together with batten plates and filled with concrete. In such columns, evaluating the effect of concrete confinement and determining the extent of this confinement constitute a substantially complex problem. The issue was considered in close correspondence to rectangular cross section tubular elements filled with concrete, concrete-encased columns, as well as to steel-concrete columns in which reinforcement bars are connected with shackles. In the analysis of concrete confinement in two-chord columns, elements of computational methods developed for different types of composite cross sections were adopted. The achieved analytical results were compared with calculations based on test results.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.305-323
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• 2014

This paper presents numerical simulations of partially encased composite columns (PEC) with equivalent steel sections. The composite section of PEC column consists of thin walled welded H- shaped steel section with transverse links provided at regular intervals between the flanges. Concrete is poured in the space between the flanges and the web plate. Most of the structural analysis and design software do not handle such composite members due to highly nonlinear material behavior of concrete as well as due to the complex interfacial behaviour of steel and concrete. In this paper an attempt has been made to replace the steel concrete composite section by an equivalent steel section which can be easily incorporated in the design and analysis software. The methodology used for the formulation of the equivalent steel section is described briefly in the paper. Finite element analysis is conducted using the equivalent steel section of partially encased composite columns tested under concentric gravity loading. The reference test columns are obtained from the literature, encompassing a variety of geometric and material properties. The finite element simulations of the composite columns with equivalent steel sections are found to predict the experimental behaviour of partially encased composite columns with very good accuracy.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.309-322
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• 2017

This paper conducted both numerical and theoretical studies to investigate the composite action of notched circular concrete-filled steel tubular (CFT) stub columns under axial compression and established a theoretical method to predict their ultimate bearing capacity. 3D finite element (FE) analysis was conducted to simulate the composite action and the results were in good agreement with experimental results on circular CFT stub columns with differently oriented notches in steel tubes. Parametric study was conducted to understand the effects of different parameters on the mechanical behavior of circular CFT stub columns and also the composite action between the steel tube and the core concrete. Based on the results, a theoretical formula was proposed to calculate the ultimate bearing capacity of notched CFT stub columns under compression with consideration of the composite action between the steel tube and the core concrete.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.909-927
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• 2020

This paper addresses the results of an experimental study involving 10 partially encased composite columns under concentric and eccentric compressive loads. Parameters such as slenderness ratio, ordinary reinforced concrete and fiber reinforced concrete, load eccentricity and bending axis were investigated. The specimens were tested to investigate the effects of replacing the ordinary reinforced concrete by fiber reinforced concrete on the load capacity and behavior of short and slender composite columns. Various characteristics such as load capacity, axial strains behavior, stiffness, strains on steel and concrete and failure mode are discussed. The main conclusions that may be drawn from all the test results is that the behavior and ultimate load are rather sensitive to the slenderness of the columns and to the eccentricity of loading, specially the bending axis. Experimental results also indicate that replacing the ordinary reinforced concrete by steel fiber reinforced concrete has no considerable effects on the load capacity and behavior of the short and slender columns and the proposed replacement presented very good results.