• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.223-239
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• 2021

This paper presents the analytical modeling and finite element (FE) analysis, using ABAQUS software, of the new types of steel reinforced lightweight aggregate concrete (SRLAC) columns with cross-shaped (+shaped and X-shaped) steel section, using proposed three analytical and two FE models in total. The stress-strain material models for different components in the columns, including the confined zones of the lightweight aggregate concrete (LWAC) using three and four concrete zones divisions approaches and with and without taking into account the stirrups reaction effect, are established first. The analytical models for determining the axial load-deformation behavior of the SRLAC columns are drawn based on the materials models. The analytical and FE models' results are compared with previously reported test results of the axially loaded SRLAC columns. The proposed analytical and FE models accurately predict the axial behavior and capacities of the new types of SRLAC columns with acceptable agreements for the load-displacement curves. The LWAC strength, steel section ratio, and steel section configuration affect the contact stress between the concrete and steel sections. The average ratios of the ultimate test load to the three analytical models and FEA model loads, Put /Pa1, Put /Pa2, Put /Pa3, and Put /PFE1, for the tested specimens are 0.96, 1.004, 1.016, and 1.019, respectively. Finally, the analytical parametric studies are also studied, in terms of the effects of confinement, LWAC strength, steel section ratio, and the reinforcement ratio on the axial capacity of the SRLAC column. When concrete strength, confinements, area of steel sections, or reinforcement bars ratio increased, the axial capacities increased.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.583-598
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• 2021

The composite steel reinforced concrete (SRC) columns have been widely used in Structural Engineering due to their good performances. Many studies have been done on the SRC columns' performances, but they focused on the ordinary types with conventional configurations and materials. In this study, nine new types of steel reinforced lightweight aggregate concrete (SRLAC) short columns with cross-shaped (+shaped and X-shaped) steel section were tested under monotonically axial compressive load; the studied parameters included steel section ratio, steel section configuration, ties spacing, lightweight aggregate concrete (LWAC) strength, and longitudinal bars ratio. From the results, it could be found that the specimens with larger ties ratio, concrete strength, longitudinal bars ratio, and steel section ratio achieved great strength and stiffness due to the excellent interaction between the concrete and steel. The well-confined concrete core could strengthen the steel section. The ductility and toughness of the specimens were influenced by the LWAC strength, steel section ratio, and longitudinal bars ratio; in addition, larger ties ratio with smaller LWAC strength led to better ductility and toughness. The load transfer between concrete and steel section largely depends on the LWAC strength, and the ultimate strength of the new types of SRLAC short columns could be approximately predicted, referring to the codes' formulas of ordinary types of steel reinforced concrete (SRC) columns. Among the used codes, the BS-5400-05 led to the most conservative results.