Eccentric compression performance of coral concrete-filled aluminum alloy tube (CCFAT) circular short columns

Abstract

Coral concrete, utilizing coral reef bodies in place of traditional aggregates, shows promising prospects use in island projects. The use of aluminum alloy-reinforced coral concrete columns effectively enhances the load-bearing capacity of these structures. This study aims to investigate the performance of aluminum alloy circular tube-reinforced coral concrete short columns under eccentric compression. The study involved designing fifteen short columns for eccentric compression experiments, focusing on key parameters such as aluminum content (α), eccentricity (e0), and coral concrete strength (fc). The study obtained failure modes, bearing capacities, and load-deformation relationships, and analyzed the impacts of aluminum content, eccentricity, coral concrete strength, and hoop coefficient (ξa) on the columns’ strength, stiffness, and ductility. Subsequently, a finite element parameter expansion analysis using Abaqus was performed. Ultimately, a correction coefficient model was developed, compared with existing international specifications, and used to establish a suitable calculation model for the bearing capacity of CCFAT eccentric short columns. The results indicated that CCFAT eccentric short columns predominantly experienced bending failure. The stresses in the aluminum alloy round tube can reach the conditional yield strength, effectively collaborating with the concrete. The load-deformation relationship did not exhibit an intensification stage, and the lateral deflection curves tended to follow sinusoidal half-wave patterns. During the initial loading stage, adherence to the plane-section assumption was observed, with the hoop effect primarily manifesting in the compression zone. The strength index showed an approximately quadratic relationship with ξa, the stiffness index showed a positive correlation with ξa, and the ductility index demonstrated a strong positive association with ξa. The correction coefficient model, along with AIJ (2001), can be employed for calculating the bearing capacity of CCFAT eccentric short columns. This study introduces the novel concept of aluminum alloy tube-reinforced coral concrete columns as a composite structure for island civil engineering construction. Beyond the benefits of traditional steel tube concrete, these composite columns are expected to reduce engineering costs, shorten construction timelines, and address durability concerns through the incorporation of marine coral stones and fragments as concrete aggregates.