Circular Concrete-filled Steel Tubular Columns Research Articles

Numerical simulation of axially loaded circular concrete-filled steel tubular short columns with localized corrosion

Concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) columns are widely utilized in structures owing to their cost-effectiveness, high strength, ductility, and proven fire resistance. Despite these advantages, concerns persist regarding the performance of CFST columns with locally corroded steel tubes, impeding their widespread adoption in offshore structures. This research employs three-dimensional finite element (FE) simulations for circular CFST stub columns subjected to axial compression, validated against experimental data. Verification includes full load-displacement histories, ultimate axial strengths, and failure modes. The validated FE models are then employed to assess and compare the structural behavior of CFST columns with various shapes of localized corrosion, analyzing overall load-deformation curves, interaction stress-deformation responses, and composite actions. To acquire critical data for understanding stub column behavior, 81 specimens underwent non-linear finite element analysis, with local corrosion represented by artificial notches in steel tubes. Test parameters, such as notch orientations, lengths, depths, widths, and concrete compressive strength, are varied. Results elucidate the impacts of these parameters on different aspects of stub column responses with corroded steel tubes. Furthermore, the accuracy of existing design models in predicting the ultimate axial strengths of CFST columns with corroded steel tubes is assessed. Finally, through parametric analysis of test results, a practical model is proposed and verified for computing the peak resistance of a CFST stub column with a locally corroded steel tube.

Optimum embedment depths for CFST column-to-foundation connections: Analytical and reliability-based approach

In the present study, the pullout capacity models were developed to derive analytical expressions for the minimum required depths of embedment for conventional and two recently published schemes of connection for circular and square concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) columns. The models were developed by equating the pullout strength of the tube with the pullout capacity of the reinforced concrete (RC) footing. The pullout capacity of the RC footing was a function of the strength of cement grout, footing concrete, and RC footing reinforcement. The analytical expressions derived for the minimum required depths of embedment were utilized to deduce limit state functions. These limit state functions were then employed for the reliability calculations by means of the Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) technique. The reliability calculations provide optimum embedment depths for CFST columns for the given reliability level. It was shown for the required reliability index of 3.0, the requirements of nominal embedment depth for the second column-to-foundation connecting scheme for circular and square CFST columns are 37.3% and 45.2% less than their corresponding first schemes of connection. This outcome proves the superiority of the second scheme (as a result of mechanical interlocking) over the first scheme. A few parametric studies were also conducted to obtain results of practical value.

Analytical modelling and critical temperature of circular CFST column exposed to standard fire

This paper establishes a finite element (FE) model for the fire resistance analysis of concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) columns with circular cross section. The model is validated by experimental results from a database consisted of 123 fire tests on circular CFST columns. The critical temperature is clarified for the circular CFST column exposed to standard fire. The performance of circular CFST columns is discussed and extensive parametric study is performed by the FE model. The equation for the critical temperature of circular CFST columns to axial compression is proposed and compared with both FE and test results. The results show that the established FE model well captures the behaviour of CFST column exposed to standard fire, and the proposed critical temperature calculation method provides more accurate fire resistance predictions than methods in current codes of practice.

Compressive performance of eccentrically double-cell concrete-filled circular steel tubular columns

This paper presents a series of tests conducted on axial compression of concrete-filled steel tubes with double inner circular steel tubes (DIC-CFST) stub columns. The DIC-CFST stub columns are composed of four elements: an outer circular steel tube, two inner hollow circular steel tubes arranged symmetrically along the diameter of the outer tube, and concrete filling the space between the three steel tubes. A total of 27 specimens with varying eccentricity ratio (e), hollow ratio (ψ), and concrete strength (C) were subjected to the tests. The results indicate that under axial compression, noticeable local buckling failures occur in both the inner and outer steel tubes. Concrete failure manifests as vertical through cracks and circumferential crushing zones. The load-deformation curve of the specimens remains essentially the same as that of a full-section concrete-filled steel tube. A general positive correlation exists between the ultimate bearing capacity and the strength of concrete, and the range of eccentricity ratio and hollow ratio significantly influences the relationship between these two parameters and the ultimate bearing capacity of the specimens. As the concrete strength increases, the initial stiffness exhibits a noticeable increase. Conversely, the initial stiffness experiences a significant reduction with an increase in the hollow ratio. The ductility decreases with increasing concrete strength and eccentricity ratio. Furthermore, in comparison to the AISC 360–10 Specification, Eurocode 4, and Han's method, the calculation formula proposed in this paper for determining the ultimate bearing capacity of DIC-CFST stub columns has exhibited superior accuracy.

Cyclic behaviour of circular CFT-SG columns under axial tension-compression: Novel FE modelling and design methods

The ultra-high concrete-filled steel tubular (CFT) power transmission tower is popularly applied in engineering practice, which may be under a typical cyclic axial tension-compression loading condition due to the dynamic wind load. Nonetheless, the CFT columns of the tower may be accompanied by significant gap defects due to the influence of structural feature, material property, and service environment. Hence, to figure out the performance of circular CFT columns with spherical-cap gaps (CFT-SG) subjected to cyclic axial tension-compression, this paper investigates a constitutive relationship for the gapped core concrete, which is verified by several existing experiments. A novel numerical modelling approach for simulating the irregular cross-section of the circular CFT-SG columns under cyclic axial load was following established based on the triangulation method and code programming. The influence of important parameters such as gap ratio, material strength, and diameter to thickness ratio on the hysteresis characteristics, load-bearing capacity, elastic stiffness, energy dissipation and ductility of circular CFT-SG columns under cyclic axial tension-compression force is studied. Moreover, the restoring force model of the circular CFT-SG columns under cyclic axial tension-compression is finally presented. Research results declare that the compressive bearing capacity, stiffness, ductility, and energy dissipation of circular CFT-SG columns under cyclic axial tension-compression are gradually weakened with the increment in the gap ratio. The numerical modelling approach and restoring force model proposed in this article can accurately evaluate the hysteresis performance of circular CFT-SG columns subjected to cyclic axial tension-compression.

Influence of corrosion on loading capacity of circular concrete-filled steel tubular column

Concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) columns are commonly used in engineering, especially in load-bearing structures. This study conducts an in-depth examination of how the axial resistance of CFST columns varies with random corrosion. A finite element model for circular CFST columns is developed and its accuracy is verified using available experimental data. The interaction between the outer steel tube and the concrete column is explored, along with the introduction of a strength reduction coefficient concept. Additionally, the concept of an axial load-bearing capacity reduction coefficient is introduced to illustrate variations in the axial resistance of circular CFST columns during different corrosion stages. The degradation patterns of reduction coefficients for uniform and random corrosion depths in the steel tube and CFST columns with varying mass loss rates are analyzed, and formulas are provided to predict the axial resistance in different corrosion stages. Furthermore, the study investigates the influence of variables such as material strength, component dimensions, and the thickness of the external steel tube, resulting in adjustments to the original expressions for various conditions.

Prediction of the axial compression capacity of stub CFST columns using machine learning techniques.

Concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) columns have extensive applications in structural engineering due to their exceptional load-bearing capability and ductility. However, existing design code standards often yield different design capacities for the same column properties, introducing uncertainty for engineering designers. Moreover, conventional regression analysis fails to accurately predict the intricate relationship between column properties and compressive strength. To address these issues, this study proposes the use of two machine learning (ML) models-Gaussian process regression (GPR) and symbolic regression (SR). These models accept a variety of input variables, encompassing geometric and material properties of stub CFST columns, to estimate their strength. An experimental database of 1316 specimens was compiled from various research papers, including circular, rectangular, and double-skin stub CFST columns. In addition, a dimensionless output variable, referred to as the strength index, is introduced to enhance model performance. To validate the efficiency of the introduced models, predictions from these models are compared with those from two established standard codes and various ML algorithms, including support vector regression optimized with particle swarm optimization (PSVR), artificial neural networks, XGBoost (XGB), CatBoost (CATB), Random Forest, and LightGBM models. Through performance metrics, the CATB, GPR, PSVR and XGB models emerge as the most accurate and reliable models from the evaluation results. In addition, simple and practical design equations for the different types of CFST columns have been proposed based on the SR model. The developed ML models and proposed equations can predict the compressive strength of stub CFST columns with reliable and accurate results, making them valuable tools for structural engineering. Furthermore, the Shapley additive interpretation (SHAP) technique is employed for feature analysis. The results of the feature analysis reveal that section slenderness ratio and concrete strength parameters negatively impact the compressive strength index.

Seismic behavior of polypropylene fiber reinforced rubber concrete-filled circular steel tubular columns

In this study, the seismic behavior of polypropylene fiber reinforced rubber concrete-filled circular steel tubular columns subjected to low cyclic loading was investigated. The effects of varying rubber content, slenderness ratio, axial compression ratio, and steel content on specimen damage were analyzed. Digital Image Correlation (DIC) and Acoustic Emission (AE) instruments were utilized to monitor the full-field strain on the surface of the specimens and the generation and development of internal concrete cracks. A fiber modeling method was developed for calculating the compression bending bearing capacity of the columns. The results indicated a uniform failure pattern, primarily located at the column base. Adding rubber powder decreased the bearing capacity of the specimen, yet enhanced their energy dissipation capacity and ductility. Higher axial compression ratio led to early failure in the steel tube, with the slenderness ratio significantly affecting seismic performance. The calculation methods according to GB 50936–2014 (CECS 254–2012) and DL T5085–1999 showed higher accuracy than other codes, with average values of 0.558 and 0.576, and standard deviations of 0.067 and 0.089, respectively. The variation coefficient for the calculation method in GB 50936–2014(CECS 254–2012) was 12.02%, lower than that of DL T5085–1999. The proposed fiber modeling method demonstrated superior calculation accuracy, with an average value of 0.957, a standard deviation of 0.032, and a variation coefficient of 3.29%.

Numerical analysis of circular steel–reinforced concrete-filled steel tubular stub columns

This paper presents a computational model for determining the axial responses of short circular steel–reinforced concrete-filled steel tubular (SRCFST) columns. A novel confinement model is formulated for the concrete core, which is effectively confined by the external circular steel tube and the embedded steel section. The modelling scheme of the confinement is programmed using a mathematical model that utilises fibre-element discretisation of column cross-sections. The numerical predictions are verified by experimental measurements and results obtained from finite-element analysis, demonstrating the accuracy of the modelling technology. In addition, existing concrete confinement models for concrete in circular concrete-filled steel tubular columns are assessed. The new confinement model is shown to be superior in replicating the responses of SRCFST columns. The influences of the design parameters on the column's performance are numerically investigated and ranked in order of importance through a sensitivity analysis. In this study, not only is the validity of current design standards in determining the axial load capacity of SRCFST columns examined but a new design formula is also proposed. The proposed confinement model can be employed in numerical procedures for the inelastic simulation of SRCFST columns; the design formula is suitable for use in practical design.

Dynamic response and design evaluation of circular CFT columns with ring-shaped voids under transverse impact

Presently, the research on the impact performance of the concrete-filled steel tubular (CFT) members has never considered the problem of void defect. Hence, this paper fosters a refined finite element (FE) model of the circular CFT column with ring-shaped voids under transverse impact, which considers the initial contact status of concrete. After validating the accuracy of FE models, the effects of void ratio, steel ratio, impact speed and mass of the drop hammer on the dynamic behaviour of the circular CFT column with ring-shaped voids are explored. Detailed impacting mechanisms of the defect column are acknowledged by elaborating its dynamic time history curves, failure morphology, impact force diffusion path, contact process, and stress/strain distribution rule. Calculation methods for evaluating the impact resistance of the circular CFT column with ring-shaped voids are proposed. The results declare that the appearance of ring-shaped voids would significantly weaken the impact resistance of the CFT column. The impact force and energy dissipation are greatly decreased with the increase in void ratio. Under the transverse impact, the steel tube would be seriously depressed due to the absence of effective support acted by concrete with ring-shaped void, and the core concrete would be heavily damaged in return.

Tests and deflection calculation method for circular concrete-filled steel tubular columns under very low-elevation lateral impact loads

An experimental investigation of circular concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) columns subjected to very low-elevation lateral impacts was performed. Six circular CFST members were prepared for lateral impact tests according to the typical CFST columns in high-speed railway stations in China, and the impact location was at the height of the 2/9 column. The tests had three variables: the thickness of the steel tube, the impact velocity, and the axial load. The failure modes were determined in the tests, along with the time histories of the impact force and the deflection at the impact location. A finite-element analysis was performed to examine the effects of the axial load and scaling on the maximum deflection. The results show that with the increase of axial compression ratio, the impact resistance of the member first increases and then weakens. According to the travelling plastic hinge theory, a three-stage rigid plastic mechanical model was employed to describe the impact process, in which the impact location was at the non-mid-span, and a deflection calculation method for CFST applicable to any impact position was developed. A comparison with the test results indicated that deflections can be calculated with reasonable accuracy using the proposed method.

Behavior of circular concrete-filled steel tubular columns with different end moment ratios: Modelling and discussion

This paper develops a nonlinear model for the analysis of circular CFST columns under equal and unequal end moments using fiber beam element (FBE) method. An iterative process adopting Newton’s method combined with secant method was proposed to improve the calculation efficiency. A test database was collected to assess the accuracy of the proposed model regarding the prediction of axial load-bearing capacity, deflection curves and load–deflection curves. The verified model was then further used to investigate the behavior of CFST columns under different end moments. It was found that the normalized sectional locations of maximum deflection of CFST columns are only significantly affected by the end moment ratio, whereas those of critical sections are also influenced by the axial load. The specimen with a larger end moment ratio, steel strength, L/D ratio and/or a smaller e1/D ratio, D/t ratio experiences more significant second order effect. The bending stiffness of CFST columns is hardly affected by the end moment ratio. Moreover, the current codes, i.e., EC4 and AISC 360, may underestimate the capacities of CFST columns under unequal end moments.

Experimental and numerical investigation into locally corroded circular concrete-filled steel tubular stub columns strengthened by CFRP

Concrete-filled steel tube (CFST) is vulnerable to corrosion in service, especially local corrosion. Nevertheless, limited work has been conducted on the behaviors and strengthening methods of locally corroded CFSTs. This paper presents experimental and numerical investigations into the behavior of locally corroded CFST stub columns and locally corroded CFST stub columns strengthened by carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP). Tests were conducted on thirteen specimens with local corrosion of steel tubes simulated by means of artificial notches, and the notch length and number of CFRP layers were chosen as test parameters. The test results revealed that the performance of the specimens strengthened by CFRP was significantly improved, compared with that of the unstrengthened specimens. The maximum compression resistance increment of the CFRP-strengthened specimens was up to 58.8%. Subsequently, finite element (FE) models were developed and verified by the experimental results. Based on the FE models, parametric analyzes were conducted to investigate the axial behavior of locally corroded circular CFST stub columns strengthened by CFRP. The parametric analysis results indicated that CFRP can compensate for the loss of confinement effect of steel tube caused by local corrosion. In addition, when the hoop force provided by CFRP is equal to that provided by the yield stress of steel tube, the compression resistance of locally corroded CFST stub columns strengthened by CFRP is even slightly higher than that of CFST stub columns without corrosion.

Eccentric compression test and ultimate load strength analysis of circular CFST long column with local corrosion

During the service period, the load bearing capacity of circular concrete filled steel tubular (CFST) structures decreases over time under harsh corrosive environment, seriously threatening to the structural safety. In this paper, an artificial machining defect was introduced to simulate a local circumferentia-through corrosion on the exterior surface of steel tube, and thus 45 CFST long columns with local corrosion of a moderate slenderness ratio were tested by varying corrosion position, degree of corrosion volume loss (DoV), degree of corrosion surface area loss (DoA) and degree of corrosion wall-thickness loss (DoT). Their impacts on the axial bearing capacity, stiffness and ductility were discussed. The research results reveal that all failure modes for the specimens display feature of global compression-bending failure with local outward buckling; with increasing the DoV, the bearing capacity, stiffness and ductility of CFST specimen with local corrosion declines to different extents; as for the effect of local corrosion position, the largest one occurs while the corrosion is located at the mid-length of specimen; Ranking the effect of corrosion parameters on the compression-bending performance, the largest one is the DoV, then the second the DoT and the minimum the DoA. For the local circumferentia-through corrosion, very small effect of the DoA is actually observed. A simplified practical prediction model was established for the compression-bending bearing capacity of locally corroded CFST columns, which can provide a reference framework for their life-cycle design.

Residual strength index prediction of circular concrete-filled steel tubular columns through advanced machine learning methods

Residual strength index prediction of circular concrete-filled steel tubular columns through advanced machine learning methods

Numerical analysis of compressive behavior of circular concrete filled steel tubular columns with high to ultra-high strength materials

This paper presents a numerical analysis of the compressive behavior of short circular concrete filled steel tubular (CFST) columns having high to ultra-high strength materials under different compression loading cases. A matrix of thirty column specimens including CFST columns and empty steel tube ones was numerically investigated. Finite element model (FEMs) developed in ABAQUS were used to simulate these specimens, in which nonlinear tridimensional (3D ) finite elements were chosen for modeling both inner concrete core and outer steel tube. In this study, the materials of concrete and steel with compressive strength (f'c ) and yield strength ( fy) ranging from 100 to 120 MPa and from 525 to 595 MPa, respectively, were used. The CFST column specimens were concentric-compressively loaded by three cases, including entirely forcing on both the steel tube and concrete core (CFE), only forcing on the concrete core (CFC), and only forcing on the steel tube (CFS). Moreover, the empty steel tubes (EST) specimens were also compressively loaded. The numerical analysis results showed that the column’s mechanical behavior and load-carrying capacity mainly depend on the loading cases. In which, the CFC loading case leads to the highest load-carrying capacity and followed by the CFE loading case due to the confinement effect on the concrete core offered by the steel tube. Meanwhile, the CFS loading case results in the lowest load-carrying capacity of the CFST columns because the inner concrete core just keeps the outer steel tube more stable under compression loading compared to the EST loading case. Increasing the values of f'c and fy leads to a significant increase of the CFST column’s load-carrying capacity in cases of CFC and CFE.

Post-blast capacity evaluation of concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) column based on machine learning technique

In the present study, the post-blast axial load-bearing capacity of the CFST column under the close-in explosion is investigated. Dynamic response and residual axial load capacity (RALBC) of 1599 circular CFST columns are numerically studied using a validated finite element model. The effects of column dimensions, material properties, blast loading, and axial load ratio are discussed. Based on the huge database, prediction models of RALBC are developed using three commonly used machine learning techniques including Extreme Gradient Boosting (known as XGBoost), Artificial Neutral Network (ANN), and Support Vector Regression (SVR). Comparison results show that the prediction model generated by the XGBoost performs the best among the three methods followed by the ANN and SVR methods. The RALBC of the CFST columns can be estimated rapidly and accurately with the prediction model developed in the present study. Finally, the feature importance of the input variables is analyzed using the additive feature attribution method SHAP (Shapley Additive ExPlanation). The results show that geometric parameters are the main factors impacting the RALBC of the CFST columns under close-in explosion.

Damage evaluation and failure mechanism analysis of axially compressed circular concrete-filled steel tubular column via AE monitoring

Concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) columns are frequently used as the main load-bearing components in engineering structures due to their excellent load-bearing capacity. However, the presence of steel tube makes it impossible to accurately detect the damage characteristics of concrete by only relying on traditional mechanical measurement methods. This article quantitatively investigates the concrete damage of circular CFST column during axial compression based on the acoustic emission (AE) technique. Through the cumulative AE parameters including amplitude, count, and energy, the axial compression process of the CFST column can be divided into five main stages (Stage I is divided into two substages) to represent the different damage degree. The damage characteristics of concrete at each stage were explained by combining AE results and mechanical phenomena. A sensitivity analysis of the axial compression process was carried out using the Historic Index (HI) and Severity (Sr) and found that the sudden rise in HI and Sr corresponded to the changes in the different loading stages. The Improved b (Ib) value analysis calculated from the AE amplitudes reflects the evolution mechanism of the crack and can be used for the identification of the final failure moment of the specimen. Finally, a new method for processing and analyzing AE parameters was proposed, which effectively enhanced the dimensionality of real-time monitoring information on the damage of concrete filled in the steel tube.

Prediction of the mechanical performance of compressed circular CFST columns with circumferential debonding gap

Concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) structures have been widely used in high-rise buildings and long-span bridges for the high strength and ductility due to the confinement effect of the concrete core provided by the steel tube. This beneficial composite action could be damaged by circumferential debonding gap (CDG), which is nearly unavoidable in real CFST structures. Reliable formulations to predict the influence of CDG on the mechanical performance of compressed circular CFST columns are needed. In this paper, the experimental parameters and results of compressed circular CFST columns with CDG are summarized to discuss the deficiencies of the parameters chosen in the tests. Detailed finite element simulation procedures for compressed circular CFST columns with CDG, based on ABAQUS, are then introduced, verifying their accuracy by test results. Based on the validated finite element models, a database of compressed circular CFST columns with and without CDG, including strength, ductility and stiffness of specimens is established; it is obtained by covering suitable parameter ranges for CDG and CFST structures, in accordance with real applications. Successively, new formulations able to predict the ultimate load capacity, the reduction factor, the ductility and the stiffness of specimens are derived by the Evolutionary Polynomial Regression (EPR) methodology, demonstrating good accuracy and low complexity.

Experimental Study on Ultrasonic Tomographic Method to Detect Compactness of Concrete filled Steel Tube

When the concrete filled steel tube member is poured, due to the large volume, the internal concrete is difficult to vibrate, easy to produce defects, not easy to observe, and the internal defects will have a non-negligible impact on its mechanical properties, therefore, it is particularly important to detect the internal defects of the concrete filled steel tube column. In this paper, the internal defects of CFST are studied based on the principle that acoustic wave propagates along the shortest acoustic path in CFST. For square concrete-filled steel tubular column, when the measurement method is adopted, the theoretical sound time calculation and sound velocity distribution map imaging are carried out for different measurement point densities. It is found that the defect identification effect is better when the number of measurement points is 5.For circular concrete-filled steel tubular column, when the measurement point spacing is determined to be 30° arc length, the measurement point arrangement method in the specification cannot be combined with CT imaging method, so the measurement point arrangement method of one-point emission and five-point receiving is proposed, and it is found that it has good identification effect on internal defects.