Finite element analysis of CFT columns subjected to an axial compressive force and bending moment in combination

Abstract

Proper material constitutive models for concrete-filled tube (CFT) columns subjected to an axial compressive force and bending moment in combination are proposed and verified in this paper by using the nonlinear finite element program ABAQUS compared against experimental data. In the numerical analysis, the cross sections of the CFT columns are categorized into three groups, i.e., ones with circular sections, ones with square sections, and ones with square sections stiffened with reinforcing ties. It is shown that the steel tubes can provide a good confining effect on the concrete core when the axial compressive force is large. The confining effect of a square CFT stiffened by reinforcing ties is stronger than that of the same square CFT without stiffening ties but weaker than that of a circular CFT. Nevertheless, when the spacing of reinforcing ties is small, a CFT with a square section might possibly achieve the same confining effect as one with a circular section.