Eccentrically loaded SFRC-filled stainless steel columns

Abstract

An experimental investigation on eccentrically loaded stainless steel tubular columns filled with steel-fibre-reinforced concrete (SFRC) is presented in this paper. The composite columns had different depth-to-plate thickness (D/t) ratios, stainless steel tube cross-sections, lengths, non-dimensional slenderness, concrete strengths, steel fibre percentages and concrete type. The pin-ended composite columns were subjected to eccentric compressive loads with a large eccentricity of 0·25D. The composite column strengths, load–axial shortening behaviour and failure modes were measured and observed in the tests. The experimental investigation showed that eccentrically loaded SFRC-filled stainless steel tubular columns offer a considerable enhancement in column strength compared with those filled with plain concrete (PC). In addition, it was found that an increase in the steel fibre percentage enhanced the strength behaviour of the composite columns. Furthermore, the composite column test strengths were compared with design strengths predicted using Eurocode 4 for composite columns. Generally, the investigation showed that the code accurately predicted the strengths of the eccentrically loaded PC-filled stainless steel tubular columns of high concrete strength and was quite conservative in estimating the column strengths of the eccentrically loaded SFRC-filled stainless steel tubular columns.