Further analysis on the flexural behavior of concrete-filled round-ended steel tubes

Abstract

A new form of composite column, concrete-filled round-ended steel tubes (CFRTs), has been proposed as piers or columns in bridges and high-rise building and has great potential to be used in civil engineering. Hence, the objective of this paper presents an experimental and numerical investigation on the flexural behavior of CFRTs through combined experimental results and ABAQUS standard solver. The failure mode was discussed in detail and the specimens all behaved in a very ductile manner. The effect of different parameters, including the steel ratio and aspect ratio, on the flexural behavior of CFRTs was further investigated. Furthermore, the feasibility and accuracy of the numerical method was verified by comparing the FE and experimental results. The moment vs. curvature curves of CFRTs during the loading process were analyzed in detail. The development of the stress and strain distributions in the core concrete and steel tube was investigated based on FE models. The composite action between the core concrete and steel tube was discussed and clarified. In addition, the load transfer mechanism of CFRT under bending was introduced comprehensively. Finally, the predicted ultimate moment according to corresponding designed formula is in good agreement with the experimental results.