Research on bearing capacity of hot-rolled steel combined short columns under eccentric load

Abstract

In this article, three hot-rolled steel combined short columns and a pure steel short column under eccentric load were tested. The failure modes and load–displacement curves of the specimens under eccentric load were reported. A finite element model was developed and validated against the experimental results, and good agreement was achieved in terms of failure modes, bearing capacity and load–displacement curves. Upon validation, a series of finite element models were employed for the parameter analysis over the parameter of concrete strength (30–120 MPa) and steel strength (235–420 MPa). The finite element parameters analysis results showed that the steel strength has limited effect on the reduction coefficient (1 + η) of the ultimate bearing capacity of specimens, whereas the reduction coefficient (1 + η) of the ultimate bearing capacity of specimens decreases gradually as concrete strength increases. Based on the finite element parameter analysis results, the N–M correlation curve and a simplified design method for the reduction coefficient (1 + η) of the ultimate bearing capacity of hot-rolled steel combined short columns under eccentric load are proposed. Good agreement is achieved between the design method and finite element analysis results, and the prediction of the design method is accurate and consistent.