Structural behavior of composite wall systems strengthened with embedded cold-formed steel tube

Abstract

This paper presents a finite element (FE) model, which is validated and developed to simulate the axial load behavior of an existing experimental composite wall consisting of double-skinned profiled steel sheet (PSS) in-filled with normal concrete. This type of wall is designed to resist the axial load in the composite structure buildings. The performance of three FE models, namely, PSS only, in-filled concrete only and full composite wall system (two PSS in-filled with concrete) are accurately compared with an existing experimental test. Then, the validated FE models are utilized to perform comprehensive parametric studies which presented information about the effect of the ECFS thickness, number of the ECFS, and ECFS shapes on the load resisting behavior of the composite wall. After comparing all FE models with Euro Code 4 (EC4), the results showed reasonable degree of accuracy.