Analysis of steel-reinforced concrete-filled steel tubular and concrete-filled steel tubular columns under cyclic loading

Abstract

In recent decades, concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) and steel-reinforced concrete-filled steel tubular (SRCFST) structural members have been widely used in the construction of modern buildings and bridges. However, there is a limited finite element analyses and experiments under cyclic loading. These composite constructions ideally combine the advantages of both steel tube and concrete, namely the speed of construction and high strength. Moreover, they have lighter weight, higher bending stiffness, and better cyclic performance than the reinforced concrete construction. In this respect, a new form of composite column, steel reinforced concrete filled steel tubular column (SRCFST), has been proposed to further enhance load capacity, stiffness and cyclic performance. The new column consists of a steel reinforced concrete inside and a steel tube outside. Therefore, in this study, cyclic performance of two CFST and four SRCFST columns are examined based on review of existing studies and ABAQUS software. Eventually, a holistic comparison in cyclic features of these two types of columns and a parametric study on axial load levels are carried out which results in the higher axial load level, stiffness and deformability in SRCFST columns. Apart from load levels consequences, it is observed that the SRCFST column has a higher stiffness and ductility than those of the CFST column preliminary due to confining effect of steel section inside.