High-strength Concrete-filled Steel Research Articles

Estimation of the axial capacity of high-strength concrete-filled steel tube columns using artificial neural network, random forest, and extreme gradient boosting approaches

Estimation of the axial capacity of high-strength concrete-filled steel tube columns using artificial neural network, random forest, and extreme gradient boosting approaches

FE Analysis of Hexagonal High Strength Concrete-Filled Double-Skin Steel Tubular Short Columns Subjected to Axial Compressive Forces

FE Analysis of Hexagonal High Strength Concrete-Filled Double-Skin Steel Tubular Short Columns Subjected to Axial Compressive Forces

Numerical Analysis of the Bond Behaviour of High-Strength Concrete-Filled Steel Square Columns with Different Shear Connectors

This paper deals with a numerical method of analysis of the performance of shear connectors in transferring load in high-strength concrete-filled steel tube square sections. The novelty of the model is that it considers all the important parameters that affect performance at once: bond strength, the transfer rate of each connector, and the stress distribution and deformation of each element. Four specimens fabricated using different types of connectors were validated using ABAQUS version 2017 software. The deformation of the connectors, concrete damage, and the local instability of the steel tube were extensively investigated. The main parameters considered were the ultimate bond strength and load transfer ratio. The shear connector arrangement consisting of four specimens, namely C1 with 16 studs, a circular rib (C2), a circular rib with 8 studs (C3), and a circular rib with 8 vertical ribs (C4), had a significant influence on the key parameters. Connectors C2, C3, and C4 transferred more than 80% of the total load. The circular rib was more effective in transferring the load and limiting slip than the vertical rib and the studs. The circular rib (C2) transferred the load mainly through the four corners. The deterioration of the concrete and local instability of the steel tube had complex deformations which were influenced by the geometry of the inserted connectors.

Behavior of CFRP confined rectangular high-strength concrete-filled steel tubular columns under eccentric compression

This paper presents an experimental study on the eccentric compression behavior of rectangular high-strength concrete-filled steel tubular columns confined with carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP- CFST). Seventeen specimens were tested under eccentric compression, examining key parameters involving eccentricity, number of transverse CFRP layers, slenderness ratio, corner radius, CFRP partial wrapping scheme, and CFRP orientation. The effects of these parameters on failure mode, load-displacement relationship, strain development, and ultimate mechanical properties were analyzed and discussed. The ultimate bearing capacity (Nu) of CFRP-CFST columns improved with an increase in transverse CFRP layers, corner radius, and CFRP wrapping proportion, while it decreased with increasing eccentricity and slenderness ratio. Partial wrapping schemes reduced the effectiveness of CFRP confinement, with the outward local buckling of the steel tube primarily occurring in areas without CFRP confinement. Longitudinal CFRP provided less improvement to Nu compared to transverse CFRP under small eccentricity conditions. A theoretical model based on the fiber element method was developed to predict the ultimate bearing capacity and implemented through a custom program to facilitate calculations. The model was validated using a test database comprising results from this study and previous research. Additionally, axial force-bending moment (N-M) interaction curves were rapidly generated, providing a theoretical basis for the design and practical application of CFRP-CFST columns in practical engineering.

Seismic Behavior of Composite Columns with High-Strength Concrete-Filled Steel Tube Flanges and Honeycomb Steel Webs Subjected to Freeze-Thaw Cycles

To investigate the seismic behavior of composite columns with high-strength concrete-filled steel tube flanges and honeycomb steel webs (STHHC) after being subjected to freeze-thaw cycles, 36 full-scale STHHCs were designed with the following main parameters: the shear span ratio (λs), the axial compression ratio (n0), the number of freeze-thaw cycles (Nc), the concrete cubic compression strength (fcu), and the steel ratio of the section (αs). Compared with existing experimental data, the validity of the finite element modeling method was verified. Parameter analysis was conducted on 36 full-scale STHHCs to obtain the hysteresis curve of the composite columns and to clarify the impact of the different parameters on the skeleton curve, the energy dissipation capacity, the stiffness degradation, and the ductility of the composite columns. The results showed that the hysteresis curves of all specimens after freeze-thaw cycles exhibited an ideal shuttle shape, reflecting that this kind of composite column has good energy dissipation ability and freeze-thaw resistance. The specimens’ maximum bulging deformation and maximum stress both occurred at the column base. Finally, the restoring force model of this kind of composite column is therefore established, and design recommendations based on these results are proposed.

Numerical Study on the Axial Compression Behavior of Composite Columns with High-Strength Concrete-Filled Steel Tube and Honeycombed Steel Web Subjected to Freeze–Thaw Cycles

To investigate the axial compression behavior of composite columns with high-strength concrete-filled steel tube flanges and honeycombed steel web (STHHC) under load during freeze–thaw cycles, 48 full-scale composite column specimens were designed with different parameters: the restraint effect coefficient (ξ), concrete strength (fcu), number of freeze–thaw cycles (nd), slenderness ratio (λ), space–height ratio (s/hw), and hole–height ratio (d/hw). The finite element models of STHHC composite columns were simulated using ABAQUS finite element software (Version: 2021). The modeling method’s rationality was verified by comparing simulation results with experimental outcomes. Based on the finite element model, a parametric analysis of the composite columns under freeze–thaw cycles was conducted, analyzing their failure modes and load-bearing processes. The results indicate that the bearing capacity of the STHHC increased with increases in ξ and fcu, and decreased with a rise in λ. In contrast, the influence of s/hw and d/hw on the ultimate bearing capacity of the composite columns was relatively minor. An equation for calculating the axial bearing capacity of the STHHC composite columns under freeze–thaw cycles was derived using statistical regression methods and considering the impact of different parameters on the axial compressive performance of the composite columns, laying the foundation for the promotion and application of this type of composite column in practical engineering projects.

The Mechanical Behavior of High-Strength Concrete-Filled Steel Tubes: A Review

The Mechanical Behavior of High-Strength Concrete-Filled Steel Tubes: A Review

Interaction and compatibility between steel and concrete of circular CFST stub columns with high-strength materials

To promote the application of high-strength-materials in concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) columns, finite element modeling, and parametric analysis were conducted on circular CFST stub columns filled with normal-strength concrete (NSC) and ultra-high strength concrete (UHSC). For simulating properties of concrete under passive confinement, a three-dimensional constitutive model for NSC and UHSC was established, of which the stress-strain relation and evolution of dilation angle are both related to confining pressure and axial plastic strain. The model was verified by tests of CFHSST (concrete-filled high-strength steel tube) and UHSCFST (ultra-high-strength concrete-filled steel tube), demonstrating that the interaction between concrete and steel tube can be revealed correctly. Parameter analysis of CFST stub columns filled with NSC and UHSC was carried out, with the grade of steel tube covering from Q235 to Q890 and the D/t ratio ranging from 8.9 to 75. With the decrease of D/t ratio, the deformation capacity and post-peak performance of columns are improved. A recommended range of steel contribution ratio of UHSCFST was proposed for the consideration of cost and safety, which is 25% ∼ 63%. Based on the analysis of interaction between concrete and steel tubes, the compatibility of the two materials is recommended, of which the yield of steel tube occurs after contact with concrete and before the concrete reaches its peak strength. Besides, the formula in EC4 overestimates the load-bearing capacity of CFST stub columns with high-strength materials. Therefore, a modified formula was proposed that reduces the enhancement factor of concrete strength and enables a safer prediction of load-bearing capacity.

Experimental behavior of axially loaded circular high-strength concrete-filled high-strength steel tubular stub columns after exposure to fire

The high-strength concrete-filled high-strength steel tubular (HCFHST) column is an innovative type of high-performance steel-concrete composite component, which has a broad prospect for engineering applications. To investigate the axial compressive behavior of post-fire HCFHST stub columns with circular cross-sections, twenty-five specimens were heated following ISO 834 standard fire and then loaded to failure under axial compression after being cooled. The effects of various heating durations, concrete and steel strength on the temperature distribution, spalling of the steel-concrete interface, post-fire ultimate bearing capacity and axial stiffness were analyzed. The residual ultimate capacity and axial stiffness of HCFHST stub columns experience a pronounced decrease as the heating duration increases. High strength steel has no significant contribution to the enhancement of the post-fire axial stiffness of HCFHST stub columns, and the effect level of high-strength concrete on the failure load of composite columns subjected to different heating durations is similar. Finally, the applicability of relevant equations for the residual compressive capacity of the ordinary strength CFST column to HCFHST stub columns was evaluated. The evaluation results revealed that available methods of conventional strength CFST stub columns cannot obtain accurate post-fire resistance predictions of circular HCFHST stub columns.

Axial compressive behavior of reinforced hollow circular high strength concrete filled steel tubular short columns

This study aims to investigate the mechanical behavior of reinforced hollow circular high-strength concrete-filled steel tubular (RHCFST) short columns under axial compression. The axial compression test of 6 RHCFST short columns was carried out, and the bearing capacity, ductility and failure modes of the columns were analyzed. The results revealed that the failure modes of RHCFST short columns primarily included mixed failure, shear failure, and crushing failure. Comparatively, the failure modes of specimens with ordinary reinforcement exhibited a shift towards mixed failure, significant improvement in ductility, and a decrease in the increase trend of ultimate bearing capacity with the growth of steel tube thickness. Based on the test results, finite element models were developed using ABAQUS software for parameter analysis. The results demonstrated a positive correlation between the short column’s bearing capacity and parameters such as steel strength, sandwich concrete strength, steel tube thickness, and ordinary reinforcement diameter. Additionally, the initial stiffness of the short column increased with the increase of steel tube thickness. Considering the mechanical properties and engineering applicability of the member, the recommended design of steel tube yield strength, sandwich concrete strength, steel tube thickness and ordinary reinforcement diameter were given. Furthermore, the axial bearing capacity calculation formulae for RHCFST short columns were proposed. The calculated values were found to closely match both experimental and simulated values, with errors falling within 10 %. Consequently, the formulae can offer a reliable prediction of the member’s axial bearing capacity.

Mechanical performances of thin-walled high-strength concrete-filled steel tube square columns with high-strength reinforced cages under biaxial eccentric compression

In the current research that both steel tube and concrete use high-strength materials, there are few studies on the small wall thickness of steel tube exceeding the standard. In order to make full use of the mechanical properties of high-strength steel and enhance its restraint ability on concrete, this paper designs a steel cage dominated by transverse steel bars. A total of 15 square high-strength steel tube high-strength concrete medium-long column test pieces are tested and studied. The main parameters of the specimens are slenderness ratio, loading eccentricity and the form of internal steel reinforcement cage. After the loading test, according to the test results, the failure mode of the specimen is obtained and the mechanical properties of middle-long concrete-filled steel tubular columns are analyzed. The research results show that the ultra-thin high-strength steel pipe can restrain concrete well, but with the increase of eccentricity, its restraint capacity is slightly insufficient; the built-in steel cage can slow down the bulging of the specimen and help the steel pipe to further strengthen the restraint on concrete, but the steel cage as an indirect constraint cannot avoid the final bulging damage. Due to the existing formula overestimating the effect of ultra-thin steel tubes, this paper proposes a calculation formula for the axial compression of thin-walled high-strength concrete-filled steel tubes with steel cage short columns. Based on this method, the bearing capacity of medium-long columns under biaxial eccentric compression is calculated with good accuracy.

Test, simulation and design of square concrete-filled steel tubular stub columns fabricated with high-strength materials under biaxial eccentric loading

This work aims to determine the biaxial eccentric performance of high-strength concrete-filled steel tubular (HCFST) stub columns. Ten specimens were tested under combined axial load and biaxial moment to evaluate the failure process, with the parameters of eccentricity ratio and steel ratio varied in the tests. Numerical studies were carried out to explore the working mechanism of the column, and parametric investigations were implemented to confirm the key factors affecting the behavior of the biaxially loaded columns. Codes AISC 360 and GB 50936 were adopted to examine the load-bearing capacities of the column, and a new design model was further proposed, together with the reliability analysis. The results showed that the biaxially loaded HCFST stub column failure exhibits concave regional yielding and concrete crushing. The concave regional longitudinal stress enhances with the eccentricity ratio, while the transverse stress presents an opposite trend before the concave yielding. Furthermore, it is numerically identified that enhancing the steel contribution is beneficial to the high e/B' ratio case. Based on the ultimate load capacity predictions from AISC 360 and GB 50936, it is noted that both codes provide conservative estimations, while the proposed model exhibits a closer prediction with the test results and thus being recommended for design of biaxially loaded HCFST stub columns.

Axial compressive bearing capacity of high-strength concrete-filled Q690 square steel tubular stub column

Concrete-filled high-strength steel tubular (CFHSST) column is a kind of composite structure that uses high-strength steel instead of ordinary steel to strengthen the transverse restraint of concrete. In this work, in order to investigated the axial bearing capacity of CFHSST square column, a series of 22 CFHSST square stub columns were prepared by using two kinds of Q690 high-strength steel plates with different thickness of 3 mm and 6 mm with the strength of 741–749 MPa and 819–871 MPa, respectively. The static axial compression tests were carried out to understand the confinement effect of high-strength steel tube on concrete of different strength under static axial pressure and the influence of local buckling on the specimen. The axial compressive performances of CFHSST square stub columns are analyzed, including the failure mode, the relationship between load and deformation, and the stress-strain relationship. The test results show that the core concrete strength and area are major factors which have affected on bearing capacity of CFHSST square stub columns. Furthermore, width-to-thickness ratio exhibits significantly improving the failure mode and ductility of CFHSST square stub columns, while width-to-thickness ratio, the ratio of steel or the coefficient of hoop determine confinement effect. Q690 steel tube has good confinement effects, but the confinement effects on low strength concrete is small, especially for the specimen with relatively small width-to-thickness ratio. Finally, the calculation method of the ultimate bearing capacity of CFHSST square stub columns under axial compression is proposed, which can effectively evaluate the ultimate bearing capacity of CFHSST square stub columns.

Structural behaviour and resistances of high strength concrete-filled stainless steel tube (HCFSST) beam-columns

This paper reports experimental and numerical investigations into the structural behaviour and resistances of high strength concrete-filled stainless steel tube (HCFSST) beam-columns under combined compression and bending. An experimental investigation was conducted on sixteen HCFSST beam-columns specimens fabricated from stainless steel tubes with two cross-section sizes and high strength concretes with four material grades, and included concrete cylinder tests, tensile coupon tests, initial global geometric imperfection measurements and eccentric compression tests. The test setups and procedures were fully reported and the experimental observations were discussed and analysed in detail. It was found that the plane cross-section assumption was valid for eccentrically loaded HCFSST sections and the lateral deflection distribution patterns for HCFSST beam-columns were approximately half-sine wave shapes. The test results were used in a subsequent numerical investigation for the validation of finite element models, which were then employed to conduct parametric studies to generate additional numerical data over a wide range of cross-section dimensions, member lengths and loading combinations. Based on the experimental and numerical results, the relevant design rules, as set out in the European code, American specification and Australian/New Zealand standard, were evaluated for their applicability to HCFSST beam-columns. The evaluation results revealed that the European code provided accurate but scattered failure load predictions when used for HCFSST beam-columns, while the American specification and Australian/New Zealand standard resulted in conservative and scattered failure load predictions.

Experimental and numerical study on the impact performance of concrete-filled high-strength steel tube (CFHSST)

The performance of concrete-filled high-strength steel tubes (CFHSST) under transverse impact was studied through experiments and numerical analysis in this paper. A total of 14 specimens of concrete-filled BG890QL high-strength steel tubes and 8 specimens of concrete-filled Q345B carbon steel tubes were tested using a drop hammer apparatus. Test results showed that CFHSST presents a bending failure under transverse impact and has good impact resistance. However, CFHSST with a higher axial compression or bending resistances show lower impact resistance compared to that of the concrete-filled carbon steel tubes (CFST). This may be due to the relatively lower strain rate effect and the characters of the constitutive relation of the high-strength steel. A finite element analysis (FEA) model was then established to broadly compare the impact resistance of CFHSST and CFST. The finite element analysis shows that the impact resistance of CFHSST members is higher than that of CFST members with the same axial compression resistance and static bending resistance when the impact energy is relatively low. However, with the increase of the impact energy, the impact resistance of CFHSST is gradually lower than that of CFST, showing its potential mechanical shortcomings under extreme hazards compared to the conventional CFST. Finally, based on a parametric analysis, key parameters that may influence the impact resistance of CFHSST are identified.

Axial compressive behavior of high-strength concrete-filled steel tube with multiple confinement effects

To study the axial compressive behavior and the confinement mechanism of high-strength concrete-filled circular steel tube with multiple confinement effects, five large size samples with horizontal stiffeners, longitudinal stiffeners, multilayer reinforcement cages, inner steel tube and separation steel plates were designed. The influences of these structures on the bearing capacity, ductility, stiffness, and residual deformation were then analyzed. Combining the strain analyses and finite element model analysis, the confinement mechanism of different structures and the coupling mechanism of different confinement effects were investigated. The results showed that the confinement effect of the horizontal stiffeners was similar to that of the stirrups. The longitudinal stiffeners did not provide a significant confinement effect on the concrete. The multilayer reinforcement cages had an effective confinement effect on the concrete, where the confinement effect increased from the outside to the inside, while the reinforcement cages had a slight influence on the concrete outside the reinforcement cages. The inner steel tube had an effective confinement effect on the core concrete and had a slight influence on the concrete outside the inner steel tube. The multicell steel tube showed the best confinement effect compared to the other structures and showed the best axial compressive behavior. In the confinement mechanism analyses, the calculation method of the stress–strain relationship of concrete with multiple confinement effects was proposed. The calculated F-Δ curves showed a good agreement with the test results.

Shear behavior of square ultra-high performance concrete-filled high-strength steel tube members

High-strength steel and ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) can increase structural resistance and reduce material consumption efficiently. However, current design specifications do not permit the use of them in concrete-filled steel tube members due to the lack of research. To address it, this paper experimentally investigates the shear behavior of square ultra-high performance concrete-filled high-strength steel tube (referred to as CuFTh hereafter) members. A total of 20 CuFTh specimens were tested, considering the effects of the span-to-depth ratio, width-to-thickness ratio of the steel tube, yield stress of steel, and fiber volume content of UHPC. The test results showed that: (i) the failure mode was governed by the shear span-to-depth ratio (a/H), including shear failure (a/H = 0.2 or 0.5) and combined shear-flexural failure (a/H = 0.8 or 1.0); (ii) the shear strength increased with decreasing shear span-to-depth ratio and the width-to-thickness ratio of the steel tube; (iii) increasing the yield stress of steel and fiber volume content of UHPC improved the shear strength. The applicability of current specifications for estimating the shear strength of square CuFTh members was evaluated. It was shown that CECS 28 (CECS 2012) had the most reasonable estimation.

Flexural behavior of high-strength square concrete-filled steel tube members subjected to cyclic loadings

This paper investigated the flexural behavior of high-strength concrete-filled steel tube (HSCFST) members subjected to cyclic loadings. Nine cyclic tests of square HSCFST members were conducted. The investigated parameters were the height of steel tube, thickness of steel tube wall, yield stress of steel, and compressive cylinder strength of concrete. A finite element (FE) model was developed and validated. Results from the experimental tests and FE analyses indicated that: (i) the failure modes of HSCFST members were characterized by local buckling and fracture of the steel tube, both occurred earlier with increasing height or yield stress of steel, or with decreasing thickness of steel tube wall, but were delayed when higher strength concrete was used; (ii) using high-strength steel significantly improved the flexural strength, had no obvious influence on the flexural stiffness, but significantly reduced the ductility; (iii) using high-strength concrete improved the flexural strength, stiffness, and ductility; and (iv) the limits by AISC 341-16 on the slenderness coefficient is conservative for HSCFST members subjected to cyclic flexural loadings.

High-strength concrete-filled steel tube columns with tie bars: Seismic behavior and design

The current study reports the utilization of tie bars to connect the opposite faces of steel tubes in the plastic hinge regions to strengthen the deformability of square high-strength concrete (HSC)-filled steel tube (CFST) columns. To evaluate the seismic performance of square HSC-filled steel tube columns with tie bars, four CFST columns with tie bars (TBCFST) and four CFST counterparts with concrete strength of about 125 MPa were examined. The test variables included the tie bar spacing, steel tube strength, and axial load ratio. It was found that when the height of the tie bar-confined region was equal to the steel tube width and the tie bar confinement index (λm) was in the range of 0.09 to 0.17, the local buckling of steel tube and concrete crushing were primarily concentrated in the unconfined zone adjacent to the tie bars. Finite element analysis was also conducted and showed that the ultimate drift ratio (θu) of the columns enhanced linearly with the increase in λm and confinement index of CFST (ξs), but diminished swiftly with an increase in the axial load ratio (n). For a given value of λm, θu increased with the increase in the tie bar columns (ntb). The flexural moment capacity ratio (Mtu/M0u) of the TBCFST column to the CFST counterpart increased as λm increased. The ratio Mtu/M0u did not follow a clear trend with the variation of ξs and n, but increased slightly with the increase in ntb. The minimum requirements for the design of tie bars were proposed.

Equivalent stress-strain models of components in high-strength concrete-filled circular steel tube columns

Nine circular concrete-filled steel tube (CFST) columns with 109 MPa concrete were tested under eccentric axial loading to derive the equivalent axial stress-strain models of the steel tube and concrete. Based on the measured strain data and the theory of elasticity and plasticity, the progressions of the axial and hoop stresses at different locations of the steel tube section were obtained. For the compression side of the steel tube, the hoop stress was developed at or after yielding; then, the ratio of the axial stress to the effective stress, σsa/fe, gradually decreased to a value of around 0.77. For the tension side of the steel tube, σsa/fe continued to increase after yielding and kept constant when σsa/fe reached a value of approximately 1.15. Using the developed axial stress-strain model of the steel tube, the equivalent axial stress-strain relationship of concrete was determined by matching the axial load-vertical displacement curve obtained from the fiber model analysis to that from the test. The confinement index, ξ, mainly influences the peak compressive stress and strain of concrete, whereas the eccentricity ratio has some influence on the descending branch of the stress-strain curve. The fiber model with the proposed stress-train models of steel and concrete can well simulate the behavior of circular CFST columns with high-strength concrete under compression-flexural loading when 0.35 ≤ ξ ≤ 0.85, 0.14 ≤ e/D ≤ 0.68, and 3.8 ≤ Le/D (Le is the effective length of a column) ≤ 10.6.