Numerical study of concrete-filled aluminium alloy tubular columns under eccentric compression

Abstract

Concrete-filled aluminium tubular (CFAT) columns have numerous benefits, such as aesthetic appearance, less self-weight and good corrosion resistance, over conventional concrete-filled tubular columns. A limited body of research exists for CFAT columns, and the research on the behaviour of CFAT columns under eccentric loading is rather rare. Therefore, the present study aims at investigating the eccentric compressive response of CFAT columns by means of numerical analysis. The numerical models were developed considering nonlinear behaviour of the materials. The models were validated against experimental data obtained from concentric compression tests of CFAT columns. The columns used in the experiments were 6082-T6 heat-treated aluminium alloy square tubes filled with 30 MPa cube strength concrete. The validated models were used to study the influence of different loading eccentricities on the behaviour of CFAT columns. The results are discussed in terms of ultimate strengths and load-lateral displacement responses. A comparison is drawn between the column capacities obtained from the numerical analysis and calculated by European standards. It is found that the design formulae provided in Eurocode are conservative for the eccentrically loaded CFAT columns.