This paper presents a non-linear finite element model (FEM) used to predict the behaviour of slender concrete filled steel tubular (CFST) columns with elliptical hollow sections subjected to axial compression. The accuracy of the FEM was validated by comparing the numerical prediction against experimental observation of eighteen elliptical CFST columns which carefully chosen to represent typical sectional sizes and member slenderness. The adaptability to apply the current design rules provided in Eurocode 4 for circular and rectangular CFST columns to elliptical CFST columns were discussed. A parametric study is carried out with various section sizes, lengths and concrete strength in order to cover a wider range of member cross-sections and slenderness which is currently used in practices to examine the important structural behaviour and design parameters, such as column imperfection, non-dimension slenderness and buckling reduction factor, etc. It is concluded that the design rules given in Eurocode 4 for circular and rectangular CFST columns may be adopted to calculate the axial buckling load of elliptical CFST columns although using the imperfection of length/300 specified in the Eurocode 4 might be over-conservative for elliptical CFST columns with lower non-dimensional slenderness.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Civil Engineering / Hayder Rasheed / The analysis of concrete columns using unconfined concrete models is a well established practice. On the other hand, prediction of the actual ultimate capacity of confined concrete columns requires specialized nonlinear analysis. Modern codes and standards are introducing the need to perform extreme event analysis. There has been a number of studies that focused on the analysis and testing of concentric columns or cylinders. This case has the highest confinement utilization since the entire section is under confined compression. On the other hand, the augmentation of compressive strength and ductility due to full axial confinement is not applicable to pure bending and combined bending and axial load cases simply because the area of effective confined concrete in compression is reduced. The higher eccentricity causes smaller confined concrete region in compression yielding smaller increase in strength and ductility of concrete. Accordingly, the ultimate confined strength is gradually reduced from the fully confined value fcc (at zero eccentricity) to the unconfined value f’c (at infinite eccentricity) as a function of the compression area to total area ratio. The higher the eccentricity the smaller the confined concrete compression zone. This paradigm is used to implement adaptive eccentric model utilizing the well known Mander Model and Lam and Teng Model. Generalization of the moment of area approach is utilized based on proportional loading, finite layer procedure and the secant stiffness approach, in an iterative incremental numerical model to achieve equilibrium points of P- and M- response up to failure. This numerical analysis is adaptod to asses the confining effect in circular cross sectional columns confined with FRP and conventional lateral steel together; concrete filled steel tube (CFST) circular columns and rectangular columns confined with conventional lateral steel. This model is validated against experimental data found in literature. The comparison shows good correlation. Finally computer software is developed based on the non-linear numerical analysis. The software is equipped with an elegant graphics interface that assimilates input data, detail drawings, capacity diagrams and demand point mapping in a single sheet. Options for preliminary design, section and reinforcement selection are seamlessly integrated as well. The software generates 2D interaction diagrams for circular columns, 3D failure surface for rectangular columns and allows the user to determine the 2D interaction diagrams for any angle  between the x-axis and the resultant moment. Improvements to KDOT Bridge Design Manual using this software with reference to AASHTO LRFD are made. This study is limited to stub columns.

No / This paper presents a series of test results of elliptical concrete filled steel tubular (CFST) beams and columns to explore their performance under bending and compression. A total of twenty-six specimens were tested, including eight beams under pure bending and eighteen columns under the combination of bending and compression. The main parameters were the shear span to depth ratio for beams, the slenderness ratio and the load eccentricity for columns. The test results showed that the CFST beams and columns with elliptical sections behaved in ductile manners and were similar to the CFST members with circular sections. Finally, simplified models for predicting the bending strength, the initial and serviceability-level section bending stiffness of the elliptical CFST beams, as well as the axial and eccentric compressive strength of the composite columns were discussed.

This paper is an attempt to study the behavior of axially loaded concrete filled steel tubular (CFST) stub columns with special-shaped cross-sections, i.e. triangular, fan-shaped, D-shaped, 1/4 circular and semi-circular. A total of forty-four specimens including CFST stub columns and reference hollow steel tubular stub columns were tested. The effects of the changing steel tube wall thickness and the infill of concrete on the behavior of the composite columns were investigated. The results showed that the tested special-shaped CFST stub columns behaved in a ductile manner, and the composite columns showed an outward local buckling model near the middle section. Generally, the failure modes of these five kinds of special-shaped specimens were similar to those of the square CFST stub columns. Finally, simplified model for predicting the cross-sectional strength of the special-shaped CFST sections was discussed and proposed.

No / Tapered concrete filled double skin steel tubular (CFDST) columns have been used in China for structures such as electricity transmission towers. In practice, the bearing capacity related to the connection details on the top of the column is not fully understood. In this paper, the experimental behaviour of tapered CFDST stub columns subjected to axial partial compression is reported, sixteen specimens with top endplate and ten specimens without top endplate were tested. The test parameters included: (1) tapered angle, (2) top endplate thickness, and (3) partial compression area ratio. Test results show that the tapered CFDST stub columns under axial partial compression behaved in a ductile manner. The axial partial compressive behaviour and the failure modes of the tapered CFDST stub columns were significantly influenced by the parameters investigated. Finally, a simple formula for predicting the cross-sectional capacity of the tapered CFDST sections under axial partial compression is proposed.

[EN] Concrete-filled steel tubular columns composed of double-tube sections are a recent development. This type of sections are the result of applying a technique used in the construction of immersed tunnels, by forming a sandwich composite section made up of steel-concrete-steel. Apart from the own advantages of concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) columns, double-tube columns present other additional advantages which make them of great interest for designers and engineers, such as: reduced weight, higher ductility, improved energy absorption and, above all, an enhanced fire resistance. In turn, the improvements in the manufacturing technique of high strength concrete makes their use in double-tube columns create the suitable synergy for the design of slender structural members. Nevertheless, the fast evolution and development of composite construction has led to a situation where the current design guidance cannot provide updated analytical expressions and recommendations. Give this situation, and due to the innovative nature of this configuration, as well as the complexity of experimental testing, few experimental and analytical works can be found on this typology of columns. This makes the numerical investigation of concrete-filled double-tube columns interesting from the scientific point of view. The mechanical behaviour of concrete-filled double-tube columns is studied in this thesis through a realistic three-dimensional finite element model. The values adopted for the variables of the model are the result of a comprehensive sensitivity analysis. The accuracy of the numerical model is verified against experimental tests and, once the numerical model is validated, an extensive parametric study is developed, with the aim of studying the influence of the main factors which affect the mechanical response of this columns and being able to provide design recommendations. With this information, a comparative study is carried out with the results of the application of the current calculation method for composite columns in Eurocode 4-Part 1.1, in order to evaluate the validity of the method for double-tube columns subjected to axial compression and combined compression and uniaxial bending, infilled with ultra-high strength concrete. The scope of this thesis is limited to slender circular double-tube columns filled with normal and ultra-high strength concrete subjected to monotonic concentric or eccentric axial load of uniform bending moment. / [ES] Las columnas tubulares de acero rellenas de hormigón compuestas de una sección de doble tubo son de reciente creación. Son el resultado de aplicar la técnica utilizada en la construcción de túneles sumergidos, de construir una sección compuesta tipo sándwich, a base de acero-hormigón-acero. Además de las ventajas propias de las columnas tubulares de acero rellenas de hormigón (CFST), las columnas de doble tubo poseen otras ventajas adicionales que las hace muy interesantes para proyectistas e ingenieros como son, por ejemplo: menor peso, mayor ductilidad, mayor absorción de energía, y sobretodo, mejor resistencia a fuego. Por otra parte, la mejora de la técnica de fabricación de hormigones de altas resistencias hace que su utilización en columnas de doble tubo produzca una sinergia idónea para diseñar elementos estructurales esbeltos. Sin embargo, la rápida evolución y desarrollo de la construcción mixta hace que las normas actuales no tengan las expresiones analíticas ni las recomendaciones de diseño actualizadas. Debido a ello y por la relativa solución innovadora de esta configuración, así como la complejidad de realizar ensayos experimentales, existen pocos trabajos experimentales y estudios analíticos acerca de esta tipología de columnas. Es por esto que el estudio numérico de columnas de doble tubo rellenas de hormigón sea, desde el punto de vista científico, interesante. El comportamiento mecánico de columnas de doble tubo rellenas de hormigón se estudia en esta tesis a través de un modelo realista tridimensional de elementos finitos. Los valores adoptados de las variables del modelo son el resultado de un amplio análisis de sensibilidad. La precisión del modelo numérico se verifica con ensayos experimentales y, una vez se dispone de un modelo validado, se desarrolla un extenso estudio paramétrico con el fin de evaluar la influencia de los principales factores que afectan la respuesta mecánica de las mismas y poder establecer recomendaciones de diseño. Con esa información, se realiza una comparativa con los resultados de aplicar el método de cálculo de columnas mixtas del Eurocódigo 4 - Parte 1.1, con el propósito de evaluar la validez del método en columnas de doble tubo comprimidas y flexo-comprimidas rellenas de hormigón de ultra alta resistencia. El alcance de esta tesis queda limitado a columnas circulares esbeltas de doble tubo rellenas de hormigón de resistencia normal y ultra alta resistencia sometidas a carga monotónica centrada y excéntrica de momento uniforme. / [CAT] Les columnes tubulars d'acer emplenades de formigó compostes d'una secció de doble tub són de recent creació. Són el resultat d'aplicar la tècnica utilitzada en la construcció de túnels submergits, de construir una secció composta tipus sandvitx, a base d'acer-formigó-acer. A més dels avantatges propis de les columnes tubulars d'acer emplenades de formigó (CFST), les columnes de doble tub posseeixen altres avantatges addicionals que les fa molt interessants per a enginyers com són, per exemple: menor pes, major ductilitat, major absorció d'energia, i sobretot, millor resistència a foc. D'altra banda, la millora de la tècnica de fabricació de formigons d'altes resistències fa que la seva utilització en columnes de doble tub produïsca una sinergia idònia per dissenyar elements estructurals verticals esvelts. No obstant això, la ràpida evolució i desenvolupament de la construcció mixta fa que les normes actuals no tinguin les expressions analítiques ni les recomanacions de disseny actualitzades. Per aquest motiu i per la relativa solució innovadora d'aquesta configuració, així com la complexitat de realitzar assajos experimentals, existeixen pocs treballs experimentals i estudis analítics sobre aquesta tipologia de columnes. És per això que l'estudi numèric de columnes de doble tub farcides de formigó siga, des del punt de vista científic, interessant. El comportament mecànic de columnes de doble tub emplenades de formigó s'estudia en aquesta tesi mitjançant un model realista tridimensional d'elements finits. Els valors adoptats per a les variables del model són el resultat d'una extensa anàlisi de sensibilitat. La precisió del model numèric es verifica amb assajos experimentals i, una vegada es disposa d'un model validat, es desenvolupa un extens estudi paramètric amb la finalitat d'avaluar la influència dels principals factors que afecten la resposta mecànica de les columnes i poder establir recomanacions de disseny. Amb aquesta informació, es realitza una comparativa amb els resultats d'aplicar el mètode de càlcul de columnes mixtes del Eurocódigo 4-Part 1.1, amb el propòsit d'avaluar la validesa del mètode en columnes de doble tub comprimides i flexo-comprimides emplenades de formigó d'ultra alta resistència. L'abast d'aquesta tesi queda limitat a columnes circulars esveltes de doble tub emplenades de formigó normal i d'ultra alta resistència sotmeses a càrrega monotònica centrada i excèntrica amb moment uniforme. / Pons Aliaga, D. (2016). ESTUDIO NUMÉRICO DE LA CAPACIDAD PORTANTE DE COLUMNAS MIXTAS CON DOBLE TUBO RELLENAS DE HORMIGON [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/62209 / TESIS