Behaviour of concrete filled steel tube columns under axial loading

CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
Steel intensive construction is popular in almost all developed countries and it
is gaining its importance in the recent years in India. The most significant push of
steel industry is cold formed steel sections. The versatility of cold formed steel
sections offer also high flexibility in design leading to wider range of
applications. Cold-formed or composite steel sections (columns) are composed of
thin plate elements which are highly prone to local buckling and this
necessitates more sophisticated analysis and design procedures. However the
increased post-buckling strength is effectively utilized in design. Steel-concrete
composite

construction

exhibits

the

best

properties of both the constituent

materials, as concrete imparts compressive strength and stiffness whereas

steel

imparts tensile strength and ductility. Variety of composite structural systems

has been tried so far all over the world. As a consequence, extensive research
is being conducted. In the area of steel-concrete composite structures, the idea of
filling steel tube with concrete offers several structural advantages such as
enhancement in strength due to confinement of concrete, reduction in dead
load, subsequent reduction in material and fast track construction compared to
traditional methods. The strength enhancement is found to be depending on
factors such as cross-sectional shape, slenderness ratio, flat width or diameter to
thickness ratio or thickness of steel tube, concrete core strength and local buckling
behaviour of steel tube.
Composite columns are structural members, which are subjected mainly to
axial compressive forces and end moments. The general term composite column
refers to any compression member in which the steel element acts compositely with
the concrete as shown in fig 1.1 so that both elements contribute to the strength.
These columns have been used widespread as they speed up construction by
eliminating formwork and the need for tying of longitudinal reinforcement.
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Behaviour of concrete filled steel tube columns under axial loading

fig 1.1 schematic view of concrete filled steel tube column

Composite columns have recently undergone increased usage throughout
the world, which has been influenced by the development of high strength
concrete permitting these columns to be considerably economized. Columns designed
to resist the majority of axial force by concrete alone can be further economized by
the use of thin-walled steel columns. New developments, including the use of
high strength concrete and the credit of the enhanced local buckling capacity of the
steel has allowed much more economical designs to evolve. The main economy
achieved by using high strength concrete in thin steel casings is that the structural
steel cost is minimized and the majority of the load in compression is resisted by the
high strength concrete. Furthermore, the concrete is enhanced in its performance as it
suffers less creep and shrinkage and the quality improves, thus allowing a larger
compressive stress to be resisted by the internal concrete.
Test results have shown that the concrete core delays the local bucking and
force the steel to buckle outwards rather than inwards, resulting in an higher flexural
strength therefore, tubes with thinner walls could reach the yield strength before local
buckling occurs. Under axial compression the steel tube confines the concrete,
therefore improves both the axial load resistance and durability of the CFST
members. It has been reported a 50% increase in the flexural strength by filling a
hollow steel tube with concrete. This is typically achieved insignificant increase in
cost, and without any increase in size. Due to the large shear capacity of concrete
filled steel tubular members, they predominantly fail in flexure in a ductile manner.
Furlong reported that using expansive cement enhances bond and provide chemically
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Behaviour of concrete filled steel tube columns under axial loading

prestressed elements. He also reported that if the steel tube is axially loaded the
confinement effect is delayed, until the expansion of concrete overcomes that of the
tube.

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Behaviour of concrete filled steel tube columns under axial loading

CHAPTER 2
GENERAL
In concrete-infilled steel tubular (CFT) columns, the properties of both the
materials are utilized in an efficient manner leading to improved properties such
as load carrying capacity and ductility. This can be ensured with the development
of complete interaction between the two materials.
2.1 COMPOSITE ACTION BETWEEN STEEL AND CONCRETE
The composite action can be better explained with the behavior of columns
under axial compression. In the initial stages of loading, Poissons ratio for
concrete is lesser than that of steel, therefore a separation between steel tube wall
and concrete core exists. As the load increases, longitudinal strain also increases
and Poissons ratio of concrete which is 0.15 to 0.2 in the elastic range increases to
0.5 in the inelastic range, as per Furlong . Therefore, at a critical stage, lateral
expansion of concrete matches with that of steel and gradually becomes greater. This
leads to subsequent development of radial pressure at the steel-concrete interface and
thereby restraining concrete core and setting-up hoop tension in steel tube. At
this stage, steel is under biaxial state of stress and concrete under triaxial state
of stress. Because of hoop tension, steel cannot sustain the normal yield stress and
therefore there is a transfer of load from the tube to the core. The load corresponds to
this mode of failure will be considerably larger than the sum of uncoupled steel
and concrete failure loads provided shear failure do not intervene. In the following
sections, the effect of various parameters on the behavior of Steel-Concrete
Composite columns is briefly presented.
2.2 LOCAL BUCKLING OF STEEL TUBE
Cold-formed steel hollow sections are susceptible to local or overall buckling
or both modes of failure. However research shows that short columns with
slenderness ratio lesser than a certain limit fail by local buckling. In the case of
concrete-infilled sections, concrete core delays local buckling. The effect of local
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Behaviour of concrete filled steel tube columns under axial loading

buckling in infilled sections depends on flat width to thickness ratio (B/t) or diameter
to thickness ratio (D/t) . The limit of this value suggested by various codes has been
considered in this study to avoid premature local buckling. It has been reported
that geometrical imperfections and residual stresses also found to influence local
buckling.
2.3 CROSS-SECTIONAL SHAPE
Circular composite columns possess many advantages compared to other
cross-sections as they provide uniform flexural stiffness in all directions. The
advantages include strength enhancement, delaying of local buckling of steel tube by
concrete core and enabling concrete to sustain more stresses. Earlier research
shows that circular composite columns offer substantial post yield strength however
in square or rectangular sections this is considerably less as per Schneider . The
post-yield behavior is strain-hardening or perfectly plastic behavior of circular
columns as in contrast to strain-softening behavior of square columns. Circular
columns are found to be more ductile compared to non-circular columns.
2.4 SLENDERNESS RATIO OF COLUMN
The failure of infilled short columns is by yielding of steel followed by
crushing of concrete. The experimental research shows that the triaxial effects
were small for columns of slenderness ratio greater than 15 . The strength
increase will occur only for columns of smaller slenderness ratio. Columns with
greater slenderness ratio fail by overall buckling. In the present experimental
investigation, experiments are conducted on columns with slenderness ratio up to 12.
2.5 CONFINEMENT OF CONCRETE
Confinement of concrete can be defined as the three dimensional stress
state developed under axial load occurred due to the development of radial
pressure at the steel-concrete interface resulting in strength enhancement. The
effect of confinement of concrete is more pronounced in circular sections for the
reason that they fail due to membrane type buckling while the effect is found to be
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Behaviour of concrete filled steel tube columns under axial loading

negligible in rectangular sections. Since in circular sections concrete core is

restrained laterally by the surrounding steel tube, full interaction occurs between steel
and concrete which leads to strength enhancement. This increase, as per Von Mise's
yield criterion, outweighs the reduction in yield strength of steel in compression due
to hoop tension needed to contain concrete. In rectangular sections, hoop tension
developed is varying along the sides due to plate buckling. As a result,
confinement effect

is reduced. In

circular

sections also,

the increase

in

slenderness reduces the confinement effect.

2.6 FLAT WIDTH/DIAMETER TO THICKNESS RATIO OF COLUMN
Flat width /diameter to thickness ratio of CFT column is found to have
influence on load carrying capacity. Very few experimental investigations on
CFT columns with larger values have been reported. In the present study, circular
tubes with diameter to thickness ratio ranging from 38-96 have been considered. The
limit of this value as per Eurocode, EC4-1994 specification for the circular tube
selected in the present experimental investigation is found to be 83 only. However
the limit suggested by AISC-American Institute of Steel Construction 2005 for the
same column is 118.
2.7 CONCRETE CORE STRENGTH
Concrete core strength decides stiffness of CFT columns. Stiffness increases
with increase in concrete core strength but columns fail due to crushing of
concrete exhibiting brittle behaviour when filled with high strength concrete.
Moreover, stiffness loss is rapid, sometimes with axial strain reversal occurs for
high strength concrete infilled tubular columns. But it is a fact that increase in
concrete core strength increases the strength of filled columns to a larger extent.

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Behaviour of concrete filled steel tube columns under axial loading

CHAPTER 3
CODAL PROVISIONS AND DESIGN METHODS
The axial capacities of concrete-filled columns are predicted based on the
provisions given in Eurocode4-1994 , AISC-2005, AISC-LRFD-1999 , ACI 3181999 and AS 3600-1994 /AS 4100-1998 . The methods suggested in each code are
presented in a detail. The limits of flat width or diameter to thickness ratio to avoid
premature local buckling, slenderness limits and limits of steel contribution ratio
considered while selecting dimensions for column specimens are given. The effect of
confinement of concrete as included in the capacity prediction is also discussed.
3.1 AXIAL COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF FILLED COLUMNS
The axial compressive strength of CFT columns suggested in various
international codes is discussed in this section.
3.1.1 Eurocode4-EC4-1994:
Eurocode4 Design of Composite Steel and Concrete Structures. It is based
on limit state method of design, applying partial safety factor to load and materials. It
covers concrete encased, partially encased steel sections and concrete filled sections
with or without reinforcement. This is the only code to include effect of long term
loading and confinement effect for design. For hollow sections filled with high
strength concrete, the factor 0.85 must be omitted. Limit for steel tube
slenderness, to avoid premature local buckling is also given. The use is restricted to
composite columns with steel yield stress and concrete cylinder strength upto
355MPa and 50MPa respectively. It considers confinement effect explicitly for
the circular sections when relative slenderness, has value less than 0.5. The
effect of confinement was included in this study since relative slenderness,
falls below 0.5 Clause 4.8.3 of Eurocode 4-1994 has been referred for finding
effective elastic flexural stiffness, non-dimensional slenderness and the capacity
reduction factor. The ultimate load can be calculated from the following
equations .

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Behaviour of concrete filled steel tube columns under axial loading

For square CFTs,

The ultimate load,
Nu= Asfy + AcFc .........................(3.1)
For circular CFTs,
The plastic resistance,
Npl,Rd = A2 2 fy + Ac fcd [1+ 2 (t/D)(fy / fck) .................. (3.2)
where 1 and 2 are confinement factors.
The strength of concrete is increased by 1 because enhancement of strength occurs
under triaxial state of stress. The strength of steel tube is decreased by 2
because steel is under hoop stress.
1 = 4.9 - 18.5 + 17 2
2 = 0.25(3+2), = the non- dimensional slenderness as per clause 4.8.3.7 of EC4 is,

= (Npl,R / Ncr )1/2 , where Npl, R = plastic resistance of the cross-section =1,
Ncr= Elastic critical buckling load.
The design resistance of CFT column,
Nsd= Npl,Rd ................... (3.3),
where is the reduction factor
Fig3.1 shows European buckling curves according to Eurocode 3-1993 ,
which includes reduction factor ( ) due to column buckling. Curve a can be referred
for concrete-filled hollow sections. The reduction factor is a function of the nondimensional slenderness, of the composite column.
3.1.2 ACI 318-1999: American Concrete Institute-Building code
According to this code, a composite column can be defined as a

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Behaviour of concrete filled steel tube columns under axial loading

concrete column reinforced with a structural steel shape or tubing in addition to

reinforcing bars. Equivalent radius of gyration and flexural stiffness are to be
considered to include slenderness effects. Radius of gyration must be taken as zero
except for sustained load. The limiting thickness of steel tube to prevent local
buckling based on yield stress is also specified for CFTs. Creep of concrete under
sustained load is considered.

The ultimate load,

Pu = Asfy + 0.85 AcFc

........................ (3.4)

3.1.3 AISC-LRFD 1999 / AISC-2005: American Institute of Steel

Construction-Load and Resistance Factor Design Specification for Structural
Steel Buildings
The principle in design using AISC-LRFD 1999 is the same as ACI 318-1999
code. Axial and flexural strength calculations are similar to those for RCC columns
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Behaviour of concrete filled steel tube columns under axial loading

using ACI 318-1999 whereas AISC- 2005 gives bilinear interaction formula which is
similar to that for steel columns. Strength is estimated based on the ultimate load
resistance but suitable reduction factors are applied to account for slenderness ratio.
Flexural stiffness is underestimated. Effect of confinement of steel tube on concrete
core which is influencing strength and ductility of CFT column is ignored.
Creep of concrete is also ignored. The use is limited to composite columns with steel
yield stress and concrete cylinder strength upto 415 MPa and 55 MPa
respectively. The new version AISC- 2005 raises these values to 525 MPa and 70
MPa respectively. It also modifies the minimum steel wall thickness and contains
design provisions for both round and rectangular shapes. Compared to 1999
version, 2005 Standards adopts the concept of effective stiffness with different
adjustment coefficients. Resistance factor is lowered to 0.75 from 0.85. Minimum
Steel ratio is kept at 4% for encased columns but it is lowered to 1% for CFT
columns.
3.2 LOCAL BUCKLING OF STEEL TUBE
The premature local buckling of steel in CFT columns can be avoided
by choosing specimens in accordance with the limits of flat-width/diameter to
thickness ratio specified in various codes such as Eurocode 4-1994 and ACI 3181999 A and AISC 2005 .
3.2.1Eurocode 4-1994
The limits of flat width/diameter to thickness ratio of CFTs suggested in
EC4 1994 (Cl.4.8.2.4) to avoid premature local buckling are given by equations
below

............... (3.5)

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Behaviour of concrete filled steel tube columns under axial loading

........... (3.6)
3.2.2 ACI 318-1999
The limits of flat width/diameter to thickness ratio of CFTs suggested in
ACI 318-1999 are given by equations (3.7) and (3.8).
For circular CFTs,

............... (3.7)
For square CFTs,

.................. (3.8)

3.2.3 AISC-LRFD-1999/AISC-2005
AISC-LRFD-1999

[Cl. 12.1(e)] uses the same limits as prescribed in

ACI 318-1999 . AISC-2005 [Cl.12.2(a)] suggests the limits of flat width/

diameter to thickness ratio as given by equations below.

............. (3.9)

.................. (3.10)
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Behaviour of concrete filled steel tube columns under axial loading

Summary
To avoid premature local buckling of composite columns, design codes
have been referred to check the maximum limits of flat width/diameter to thickness
ratio of circular and square sections. These limits were considered while selecting
dimensions of composite columns.
3.3SLENDERNESS LIMITS
The limits specified in various design codes to exclude slenderness effects
have been discussed in this section.
3.3.1 Eurocode4-1994
The limits of slenderness suggested by Eurocode4-1994 [10] [Cl.4.8.3] is
given by equation .
Length / Depth or Diameter < 15

........(3.11)

3.3.2 ACI 318-1999

To check for slenderness limit, ACI 318-1999 suggests the equations as
given below.
For square columns,
Length / Side < 10.2
For circular columns,
Length / Diameter < 8.5
Summary
Slenderness ratio of columns plays an important role in deciding the
capacity of column and its behavior. The limits specified in various design codes to
exclude slenderness effects have been checked.

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Behaviour of concrete filled steel tube columns under axial loading

3.4 CONFINEMENT OF CONCRETE

The confinement effect in circular and square columns is shown in Fig 3.2 The
concrete confinement is fully effective in circular columns because of uniform
flexural bending whereas in square columns the effect is reduced because of plate
bending. For circular

concrete infilled composite columns, the confinement effect of

concrete increases the concrete resistance and decreases the axial resistance of
steel section.

The provisions given in Eurocode 4-1994 and AISC 2005 to

include confinement of concrete in capacity prediction of CFTs has been discussed.

Fig 3.2 confinement effect in circular column and square column

3.4.1 Eurocode4-1994
Eurocode4-1994 (Cl. 4.8.3.3) considers confinement effect more methodically
for the circular sections when relative slenderness, has value less than 0.5. The
concrete confinement depends on the ratio of steel to concrete resistance (f y /f ck ),
diameter to thickness ratio

(D/t) and column slenderness (L/D) through

confinement factors 1 and 2. The reduction of concrete strength by 0.85

may be omitted for concrete-filled circular composite columns since the

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Behaviour of concrete filled steel tube columns under axial loading

development of concrete strength is better achieved due to protection against

the environment and against splitting of concrete. Cl 4.8.3.3 of Eurocode4-1994
suggests design equations to include confinement effect..
3.4.2 AISC-2005
AISC-2005 includes confinement effect in the form of a constant,
irrespective of cross -section dimension or column slenderness. The increase in
concrete resistance of circular CFTs is 11% compared to rectangular CFTs.
Summary
The design equations suggested for circular composite columns in Eurocode
4-1994

and AISC-2005 have been referred to include confinement effect.

3.5 DESIGN METHODS SUGGESTED BY PREVIOUS RESEARCHERS

The axial compressive strength of circular and square CFT columns as per
design methods suggested by previous researchers is discussed in this section.
Circular Columns Giakoumelis and Lam proposed a coefficient to be included in
ACI318-1999

equation to take into account, the effect of concrete confinement

on the axial strength of circular concrete infilled steel tubular columns. This
equation is found to be giving fair results. The modified equation of ACI318-1999
suggested by Giakoumelis and Lam as applicable to circular CFT columns is given as
equation ,

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...................... (3.12)

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Behaviour of concrete filled steel tube columns under axial loading

CHAPTER 4
EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM
Five short concrete filled steel tube columns were tested. The various
parameters considered in this investigation were bond, end loading condition and the
level of axial compressive stress. For the unbounded columns, the bond between the
steel and concrete was prevented by a layer of asphalt applied to the inside surface of
the steel tube. The two different loading conditions included axial load applied to the
concrete core only and axial load applied to the composite concrete core and steel
tube. Short column specimen were tested under monotonic axial compression loading
conditions.
4.1 MATERIAL PROPERTIES
The steel tubes used for the construction of CFST specimens were cold formed
and welded steel tubing. The outside diameter of the tubes D0 was 152.4 mm and the
thickness (t) of the wall was 3.12 mm. The D0/t ratio resulted 49. This ratio satisfies
the limits specified by American AISC LRFD(1998) [(D0/t (8E/fy) .5] and Japanese
AIJ [D0/t 28000/fy], where fy is the yield strength and E is the Youngs modulus of
the tube. Mechanical properties were obtained prior to tests by tension coupon tests.
The modulii of elasticity were 189 and 198 GPa in tension and compression
respectively. The ultimate elongation in tension was 29% and the average Poissons
ratio was 0.25.
Ready mix concrete was used to fill the steel tubes. Standard sized cylinders
were cast and cured under same CFST column conditions. Based on the cylinder test
results at the time of testing , the concrete compressive strength was 55MPa. The
tensile strength and poissons ratio were 4.7 MPa and 0.2 respectively.
4.2 SHORT COLUMN TESTS
A length to diametre ratio of 3 was selected for the CFST short column in
order to ensure column behaviour.
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Behaviour of concrete filled steel tube columns under axial loading

A total of five short column were tested in this study including three bonded and two
unbonded specimens.
Table 1. Details and test results of short column specimens
Specimen

Type

Bond

No:

End

P(KN)

P max(KN)

PR (KN)

loading
condition

C1

Short

Bonded

columns
C2

D=152 mm

Composite

2,025

2,389

1,295

2,260

2,456

1,667

2,260

2,442

1,550

2,450

2,505

1,600

2,450

2,549

1,771

section
Bonded

Concrete
section

C3

L=457 mm

Bonded

Concrete
section

C4

UnBonded

Concrete
section

C5

UnBonded

Table 1 provides the details of the short column specimen C1 to C5. Out of three
bonded tubes, one was axially loaded on the composite section C1 and two were
axially loaded on the concrete core C2 and C3. For the unbonded specimen C4 and C5
the load was applied to the core only. All the specimens were cast in a vertical
position and vibrated using hand vibrator.
4.3 TEST SETUP AND INSTRUMENTATION.
The short column were tested using a 600 kips Universal testing machine as
shown in fig 4.1. A thin layer of plaster of paris was used between the end surface of
the CFST columns and the steel loading plate. For specimen C1, a circular steel plate
larger than the outside diameter of the steel tube was used to apply the load to the
composite section. A 144mm diameter steel plate was used to apply the load to the
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Behaviour of concrete filled steel tube columns under axial loading

concrete core of the specimens C2 to C5.

Fig 4.1 Schematic diagram of test arrangement

Strain gauges, spaced at 67mm along the height were used to monitor the
strains in the axial and circumferential directions of the specimens. Two
displacements transducers (LVDTs) were also used to monitor the axial deformation.
The axial loads were increased monotonically until the test were terminated at an
axial deformation of approximately 30mm, which corresponds to an axial strain of
6.56%. The short column were still capable of sustaining the applied load in spite of
failure of the concrete core.

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Behaviour of concrete filled steel tube columns under axial loading

CHAPTER 5
EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
The measured axial load versus axial deformation responses based on the
LVDT readings of all the tested CFST columns are shown in fig 5.1.

Fig 5.1 Load-axial deformation behaviour of short column specimens

In general the initial behaviour was linear elastic upto the peak load, after
which the load was dropped approximately one third of the maximum axial strength.
All specimen maintained the load with excellent ductility up to failure. The axial load
versus axial hoop strain, based on the strain gauge readings at five stations along the
height of the specimens C1, C2 and C4 are shown in the fig 5.2.
The hoop strain developed in the bonded steel tube are a direct result of the
effect of Poissons ratio of the tube under axial loading as well as confinement effect
due to the expansion of the concrete core. In case of unbounded tube, where only the
concrete core was axially loaded , the hoop strains were mainly developed due to

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Behaviour of concrete filled steel tube columns under axial loading

confinement. Table 1 provides the axial loads at the onset of yielding, the maximum
axial load and the residual load at the maximum tested deformations for all the short
CFST specimens. It should be noted that the bonded steel tubes were subjected to a
biaxial state of stress including axial compression and hoop tension. In order to define
the yielding load , Von mises yield criteria has been adopted, which is as follows;

.
Fig 5.2 Load versus axial and hoop strains of short columns

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Behaviour of concrete filled steel tube columns under axial loading

.
The load drop C1, C2 and C3 was associated with the formation of a major
diagonal crack inside the concrete core as shown in figure 5.3. Under the confinement
effect of the steel tube , the cracked surfaces slid against each other as the applied
axial loading was increased. The friction between the surfaces of the cracked concrete
is believed to be the main mechanism that maintained the resistance to the applied
axial load. Failure of specimens C4 and C5 occurred at the ends, where the concrete
core failed in combined diagonal and vertical cracks as shown in fig 5.3.

.
Fig 5.3 Failure modes of short CFT specimens
In all the five specimens failure was initiated by yielding of the steel tube,
followed by the internal diagonal ( or vertical) cracking. In the specimen C1, a slight
increase in the axial strength occurred after the minimum load resistance was reached
at large axial deformation of 18mm due to the strain hardening of the deformed steel.
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Behaviour of concrete filled steel tube columns under axial loading

In the C2 and C3 specimens, the minimum sustained strength was relatively stable.
The two unbonded specimens C4 and C5 had an initial linear stiffness, lower than that
of the bonded specimens and achieved slightly higher axial load resistance. For these
specimens, the minimum load capacities became very stable and were maintained
almost constant upto termination of the test after large deformations.
5.1 EFFECT OF BOND AND END LOADING CONDITIONS:
The effect of the end loading condition can be examined by comparing the
behaviour of the bonded specimens C1 to that of the bonded specimens C2 and C3.
The behaviour for all three specimens was identical within the elastic range as shown
in figure 5.1, since the concrete was fully bonded to the steel tubes in the three
specimens. The yielding and maximum loads of the specimen C2 and C3, where the
load was applied to the concrete core only , were 12% an 2.5% higher , respectively,
than specimen C1, where the load was applied to the composite section. After
initiation of diagonal cracking in concrete, C2 and C3 sustained more stable and
higher residual strength than C1. This is attributed to the higher confinement level of
concrete, induced by the steel tube in C2 and C3. In C1, the tube was axially loaded
during the entire loading. and therefore level of confinement was lower than C2 and
C3 due to poisson's ratio effect of the steel tube, which results in an outward radial
displacement and less contact with concrete. In C2 and C3, the steel was orginally
rebounded from the concrete. Consequently, it was released from sharing the axial
compression, and therefore provided higher radial confinement pressure imposed on
the diagonally cracked concrete. This has provided higher friction between the
cracked concrete surfaces and resulted in higher residual axial strength. Schematic of
this mechanism is illustrated at the top right corner of fig 5.1. Fig 5.2 shows that, at
the maximum measured load, both the axial and hoop strains of specimen C1 were
about 62% higher than C2 due to the loss of the composite action after debonding
occured in the C2. Also the hoop strains of C1 were significantly higher than in C2
due to the effect of poisson's ratio of the steel tube throughout the loading history of
C1.

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Behaviour of concrete filled steel tube columns under axial loading

The effect of the bond can be examined by comparing C4 and C5 to C2 and

C3. Fig 5 shows the initial stiffness of C4 and C5 is about 30% lower than those of
other columns. The reduction reflects the noncomposite behaviour of the unbonded
specimen under the axial loads. The behaviour suggests that the confined concrete
core mainly provided the axial stiffness, as the axial load transferred to the steel was
very small. This is evident by the very small axial strain measured for C4 and shown
in fig 6. The yielding axial load of C4 and C5 were about 8% higher than those of C2
and C3 and about 21% higher than that of C1. The maximum axial loads of C4 and
C5 were slightly higher than that of C1, however the residual strength of C$ and C5
were significantly higher than that of C1, due to the higher level of confinement.
5.2 LOAD RESISTANCE MECHANISM
5.2.1Bonded CFST short columns
Based on the test results, the bonded specimens, loaded on either the
composite section (C1) or the concrete core (C2), exhibited virtually identical axial
behaviour in the elastic range. At this stage , both the concrete core and the steel tube
shared the axial load. The axial compressive stress in the tube of C1 is a result of
direct loading of the composite section, while in C2, axial stresses are developed in
the tube through the bond mechanism between the steel tube and concrete. Due to the
gradual development of internal micro cracks in the concrete core, the rate of lateral
expansion of the concrete increases and exceeds its initial positions ratio. Once the
dilation of concrete exceeds Poissons ratio of steel, confinement pressure is developed
at the interface between the tube and the concrete and hoop tensile stresses developed
in the tube. As the column was reaching the maximum load , the steel tube yielded
and the concrete core failed in shear. The friction within the diagonally fractured core,
which is confinened by the steel tube, become the major load resistance mechanism.
Furlong (1968) considered CFST column has a composite column and
assumed that the concrete core and steel tube acted separately to resist the axial load.
No confinement effect was considered in this model. Empirical formulas were
provided to calculate the axial stiffness and strength of CFST. Xiao(1989) developed
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Behaviour of concrete filled steel tube columns under axial loading

a model, which is based on Von mises yielding criterion in steel tubesand an

empirical concrete strength formula. Zhong (1985) introduced a model based on the
Mohr circle strength theory for the both the concrete core and steel tube and provided
equation to calculate the axial strength and stiffness.
In addition to these models design specifications including Canadian institute
of

steel

construction(CAN/CSA-S.16.1-94-1994),

American

institute

steel

construction (AISE LRFD-1998), and the Architectural Institute of Japan have also
been used to predict the strength of short CFST columns. In order to compare the
specified strength the differents model, all the resistance factor in different design
specifications are assumed to be unity. The predicted values are compared to measure
axial strength of the bonded CFST short columns C1, loaded on the composite
section. The predicted axial strength based on the model by Furlong (1968), Xiao,
Zhong(1985), CAN/CSA, AISC LRFD, and AIJ were 1.429, 2.163, 2.311, 1.628,
1.276 and 1.290 KN respectively, which corresponds to measured predicted strength
ratios for C1 of 1.67, 1.1,1.03,1.47,1.87, and 1.85 respectively. It is clear that the
design specification underestimate the axial strength of bonded columns. The models
by Xiao and Zhong provide good prediction of axial strength, while the model by
furlong underestimate the axial strength.
5.2.2 Unbonded CFST short columns
The unbonded CFST short column showed respectively lower stiffness within
the elastic range in comparison to the bonded ones. The tube in the unbonded system
was mainly utilised to provide confinement of concrete , rather than providing axial
strength and stiffness. The maximum axial strength of the unbonded columns were
slightly higher than those of the bonded columns.
Mander et al. proposed a unified stress strain approach for confined consrete
members subjected to axial compressive stresses and lateral confinement pressure
based on the yield strength of the transverse reinforcement. The model can be applied
for the CFST, where the tube is assumed to be yielding in the hoop direction. The
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Behaviour of concrete filled steel tube columns under axial loading

model predicts the maximum compressive strength of the confined concrete, which
can be used to predict the ultimate axial load based on the confined concrete core
contribution only. The predicted maximum axial load for the unbonded specimens C4
and C5 , loaded through the concrete core only is 2,010kN, which is the
correspondence to measure to predict strength ratio of 1.26. The model
underestimated the axial strength since the steel tube has contributed a small axial
load resistance as a result of imperfections, despite the attempt to release the tube
completely from the smalla axial strain measured in the steel tube of C4 (0.0012) as
shown in fig 6. If the axial load contribution of tube, associated with the measured
0.0012 axial strain (348kN) is accounted for in the prediction, the predicted total axial
strength would be 2,358kN, which compare well with the measured average axial
strength of C4 and C%, 2,527kN.

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Behaviour of concrete filled steel tube columns under axial loading

CHAPTER 6
CONCLUSION
The properties of the concrete filled steel tubes has been studied and its importance in
the current scenario has taken into account. The various codal provision available and
design methods are also checked. Also, the behaviour of CFST columns has been
studied under axial compression.
Based on the experimental investigation following conclusions were drawn;
1. The axial strength capacity of CFT columns occurred at axial strain ranges from
0.009 to 0.012. The strength was 65 to 75% higher than the strength of composite
section based on unconfined concrete strength.
2. The behaviour of short CFT columns after cracking of concrete was very ductile.
The load dropped to a sustained residual strength, approximately equal to the strength
of the composite section based on unconfined concrete strength and atleast 6% axial
strain was reached.
3. The maximum and residual axial load capacities of unbonded CFT short columns
were slightly higher than those of bonded specimens , due to confinement effect.
However, stiffness of unbonded columns was slightly lower due to the absence of
contribution of the steel tube in the axial direction.
4. Bonded CFT columns failed by diagonal cracking of concrete core. Unbonded CFT
columns failed due to combined diagonal and vertical cracking at the end of column.
5. The available design specifications significantly underestimated the maximum axial
capacity of short CFT columns.

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Behaviour of concrete filled steel tube columns under axial loading

REFERENCES
1.

Amir Fam, Frank s.Qie and Sami Rizkalla (2004) " Concrete filled steel tubes
subjected to axial compression".

2. IJEDR/Volume 2. Issue 1/ ISSN:2321-9939 (2014) "Behavior of Concrete

Filled Steel Tube Column".
3.

Furlong, R.W., 1967, Strength of Steel-encased Concrete Beamcolumns, J. Structural Engineering; ASCE.,

4. Schneider, S., 1998, Axially Loaded Concrete Filled Steel

tubes,ASCE., J. Structural Engineering., 124(10), pp.1125-1138.
5. Jane Helena, H., and Samuel Knight, G.M., 2005, Behavior of
Cold-formed Steel Hollow and Concrete-filled Members, Steel and
Composite structures., 5(1), pp.35-47.
Websites
1. www.ascelibrary.org
2. www.ce.ncsu.edu./ ..../concrete_filled_steel_tubes

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