A new wall construction technique utilizing concrete filled PVC tubes, adobe, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic bottles and cabling was designed, analyzed and implemented. The system was designed as an alternative to traditional earthen buildings in Honduras that are vulnerable to hurricane winds and seismic activity. Six prototype panels were constructed at the Alternative Village located at the University of Manitoba to evaluate the wall system for racking and transverse load capacity. A kitchen was then constructed at an elementary school in western Honduras. / October 2015

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Circular Concrete Filled Tubes are gaining importance in the construction industry due to their advantages insofar as economy and structural efficiency. Due to the recent developments in concrete and steel technology, the usage of high strength materials in these concrete filled tubes is increasing. The governing American specification (AISC 360-16) classifies these composite members as compact, non-compact and slender sections. The allowed section slenderness (ratio of diameter to thickness ratio) in each classification is related to the material properties (ratio of Young's modulus to yield strength ratio). AISC 360-16 is applicable for steels up to 75 ksi and concretes up to 10 ksi. These limits are lower than current available materials and restricts the usage of highly slender sections. As the strength of these tubes is dependent on local buckling, tests on many combinations of high strength steel and concrete are needed to extend these material limits. This preliminary research work focuses on understanding the local buckling behavior of highly slender sections and the effect of concrete infill and its confinement. The research began by compiling a database that highlighted a gap on tests with highly slender sections and high strength materials. To address this issue, a pilot set of experimental tests were conducted on short circular concrete filled members. An analytical evaluation of these experimental results are performed using 3D finite element analysis models. The critical buckling load is determined using J2 deformation theory, which proves to give a good estimate when compared with the experimental results. The main objective of the work is to determine if a simplified test like the one used in this work could be used for the large experimental study that will be necessary to expend the material limits in AISC 360-16. The limited data developed in this study indicates that the test can provide satisfactory results with a few improvements and refinements. / Master of Science / A concrete-filled tube consists of a large steel circular or rectangular tube filled with concrete. This configuration is widely used in the construction industry, primarily as columns in high-rise buildings. Concrete filled tubes make the best use of both its constituent materials. The strength of the concrete in compression is increased by the confining action of the exterior steel tube, while the relatively thin steel tube is prevented from buckling by the presence of the concrete. Thus, this combination of the two materials, known as composite construction, results in a stronger and more ductile structural member than either a steel only or a reinforced concrete one. The design of these members is currently governed by the American Institute of Steel Construction Manual and Specification known as AISC 360-16. The provisions therein contain specific limits on the strength of both the steel and concrete allowed, as well as on the slenderness (wall thickness to width or diameter) of the tubes permitted. Because stronger steel and concretes are coming into the market and more slender tubes are available, the provisions need updating. This thesis presents a first step in that direction by testing some very slender concrete filled tubes in pure compression. This thesis presents preliminary research work focused on understanding the local instability of thin walled steel tubes and its effect with a concrete infill. The research began by compiling a database of experimental tests on concrete filled tubes. This database highlighted a gap on test results for thin walled tube sections and high strength materials. To address this issue, a pilot set of experimental tests were conducted on short circular concrete filled members. An analytical evaluation of these experimental results was performed using 3D finite element analysis models. The test results and accompanying analyses indicate that simplified test like the one used in this work could be used for the large experimental study that will be necessary to expend the material limits in AISC 360-16. The limited data developed in this study indicates that the test can provide satisfactory results with a few improvements and refinements.

The use of composite steel-concrete columns and beam-columns in many structural systems is increasing globally due to the intrinsic synergy when these materials are designed and detailed together properly. However, limited test data are available to justify the structural system response factors and comprehensive design equations in current design specifications. This research, through the testing of 18 full-scale, slender concrete-filled steel tube (CFT) beam-columns, attempts to address the latter need. The circular and rectangular CFT specimens tested for this research are by far the longest and the most slender full-scale CFT members tested worldwide. These CFT specimens were subjected to a complex load protocol that includes pure compression, uniaxial and biaxial bending combined with compression, pure torsion, and torsion combined with compression. In addition, data from the hydrostatic pressure on the steel tubes due to the fresh concrete at casting was evaluated. The single most important contribution of this research is the clarification of the interaction between strength and stability in slender composite concrete-filled columns and beam-columns. Parallel to the experimental study, advanced computational analyses were carried out to calibrate material and element models that characterize the salient features of the observed CFT response, such as steel local buckling and residual stresses, concrete confinement, stability effects, strength, and stiffness degradation, among others. Based on the observed behavior, simplified guidelines for the computation of the strength and stiffness parameters for CFT columns and beam-columns are proposed for design purposes.

Joint behaviour in fire is currently one of the most important topics of research in structural fire resistance. The collapse of World Trade Center buildings and the results of the Cardington full-scale eight storey steel framed building fire tests in the UK have demonstrated that steel joints are particularly vulnerable during the heating and cooling phases of fire. The main purpose of this research is to develop robust joints to CFT columns that are capable of providing very high rotational and tying resistances to make it possible for the connected beam to fully develop catenary action during the heating phase of fire attack and to retain integrity during the cooling phase of fire attack. This research employed the general finite element software ABAQUS to numerically model the behaviour of restrained structural subassemblies of steel beam to concrete filled tubular (CFT) columns and their joints in fire. For validation, this research compared the simulation and test results for 10 fire tests previously conducted at the University of Manchester. It was envisaged that catenary action in the connected beams at very large deflections would play an important role in ensuring robustness of steel framed structures in fire. Therefore, it was vital that the numerical simulations could accurately predict the structural behaviour at very large deflections. In particular, the transitional behaviour of the beam from compression to catenary action presented tremendous difficulties in numerical simulations due to the extremely high rate of deflection increase. This thesis will explain the methodology of a suitable simulation method, by introducing a pseudo damping factor. The comparison between the FE and the experimental results demonstrates that the 3-D finite element model is able to successfully simulate the fire tests. The validated ABAQUS model was then applied to conduct a thorough set of numerical studies to investigate methods of improving the survival temperatures under heating in fire of steel beams to concrete filled tubular (CFT) columns using reverse channel connection. This study investigated five different joint types of reverse channel connection: extended endplate, flush endplate, flexible endplate, hybrid flush/flexible endplate and hybrid extended/flexible endplate. The connection details investigated include reverse channel web thickness, bolt diameter and grade, using fire-resistant (FR) steel for different joint components (reverse channel, end plate and bolts) and joint temperature control. The effects of changing the applied beam and column loads were also considered. It is concluded that by adopting some of the joint details to improve the joint tensile strength and deformation capacity, it is possible for the beams to develop substantial catenary action to survive very high temperatures. This thesis also explains the implications on fire resistant design of the connected columns in order to resist the additional catenary force in the beam. The validated numerical model was also used to perform extensive parametric studies on steel framed structures using concrete filled tubular (CFT) columns with flexible reverse channel connection and fin plate connection to find means of reducing the risk of structural failure during cooling. The results lead to the suggestion that in order to avoid connection fracture during cooling, the most effective and simplest method would be to reduce the limiting temperature of the connected beam by less than 50°C from the limiting temperature calculated without considering any axial force in the beam.

no / This paper investigates the axial compressive behaviour of short concrete-filled elliptical steel columns using the ABAQUS/Standard solver, and a new confined concrete stress-stain model for the concrete-filled elliptical steel hollow section is proposed. The accuracy of the simulation and the concrete stress-strain model was verified experimentally. The stub columns tested consist of 150 × 75 elliptical hollow sections (EHSs) with three different wall thicknesses (4 mm, 5 mm and 6.3 mm) and concrete grades C30, C60 and C100. The compressive behaviour, which includes the ultimate load capacity, load versus end-shortening relationship and failure modes, were obtained from the numerical models and compared against the experimental results, and good agreements were obtained. This indicated that the proposed model could be used to predict the compressive characteristics of short concrete-filled elliptical steel columns.

No / This study explores the lateral deflections of diagonal braces in concentrically-braced earthquake-resisting frames. The performance of this widely-used system is often compromised by the flexural buckling of slender braces in compression. In addition to reducing the compressive resistance, buckling may also cause these members to undergo sizeable lateral deflections which could damage surrounding structural components. Different approaches have been used in the past to predict the mid-length lateral deflections of cyclically loaded steel braces based on their theoretical deformed geometry or by using experimental data. Expressions have been proposed relating the mid-length lateral deflection to the axial displacement ductility of the member. Recent experiments were conducted on hollow and concrete-filled circular hollow section (CHS) braces of different lengths under cyclic loading. Very slender, concrete-filled tubular braces exhibited a highly ductile response, undergoing large axial displacements prior to failure. The presence of concrete infill did not influence the magnitude of lateral deflection in relation to the axial displacement, but did increase the number of cycles endured and the maximum axial displacement achieved. The corresponding lateral deflections exceeded the deflections observed in the majority of the previous experiments that were considered. Consequently, predictive expressions from previous research did not accurately predict the mid-height lateral deflections of these CHS members. Mid-length lateral deflections were found to be influenced by the member non-dimensional slenderness ( ) and hence a new expression was proposed for the lateral deflection in terms of member slenderness and axial displacement ductility. / TATA Steel

The purpose of this research is to examine the behaviour of elliptical concrete-filled steel tubular stub columns under a combination of axial force and bending moment. Most of the research carried out to date involving concrete-filled steel sections has focussed on circular and rectangular tubes, with each shape exhibiting distinct behaviour. The degree of concrete confinement provided by the hollow section wall has been studied under pure compression but remains ambiguous for combined compressive and bending loads, with no current design provision for this loading combination. To explore the structural behaviour, laboratory tests were carried out using eight stub columns of two different tube wall thicknesses and applying axial compression under various eccentricities. Moment-rotation relationships were produced for each specimen to establish the influence of cross-section dimension and axis of bending on overall response. Full 3D finite element models were developed, comparing the effect of different material constitutive models, until good agreement was found. Finally, analytical interaction curves were generated assuming plastic behaviour and compared with the experimental and finite element results. Ground work provided from these tests paves the way for the development of future design guidelines on the member level.

[EN] Concrete filled steel tubular columns have many advantages in terms of bearing capacity, aesthetics, execution and fire resistance, thanks to the collaborative work of both materials steel and concrete. The effort made in the last decades to rise a high understanding of their behaviour subjected to different loads and assuming multiple variations has resulted in the wide spread of its use between the designers. Nonetheless, how to solve the connection with I-beams is still a handicap and requires a specific study. One of the most common and popular solution to connect open section steel beams (I-beams) to open section steel columns are endplate connections. In the cases of columns with hollow section, special fastenings are needed, which are able to be tightened from one external side and are denominated blind-bolts. Nowadays, there are several fastener systems that allow these types of connections. The characterization of their response and their capacity to support different loads is the objective of several investigations, where the geometrical definition and the material properties are crucial parameters. Despite the promising results of these connections at room temperature regarding their capability to resist bending moments, their performance is un-known at high temperatures. Therefore, the aim of this thesis is the study of the tensile behaviour of blind-bolts in endplate connections to concrete filled tubular columns at elevated temperatures and subjected to bending moment. Primarily, the research comprises the understanding of the pure thermal transfer problem. The temperature distribution through the connection section is obtained experimental and numerically. The thermal parameters that characterize the connections response are determined through the calibration of the numerical models with the experiments. Secondly, the blind-bolt capacity under pull out and at high temperatures is under analysis. During the fire the temperature increases while connection transmits loads from the beam to the column, the objective of this dissertation is to know how the mechanical response of the pulled blind-bolts changes under these conditions. Thus, the study of the material properties dependent on the temperature and their effect on the connection response is covered by the investigation. Furthermore, the influence of the concrete and the type of fastener is a highlighted aspect through the thermal and the fire analysis. Finally, the reliability of these connections to comply with requirements of 30 minutes fire exposure before the collapse is evaluated. As a result, valuable Finite Element models able to simulate the thermal and thermo-mechanical behaviour of the connection are developed, providing useful behavioural patterns of the blind-bolts. Among the main conclusions, it is noted the temperature reduction due to concrete core in concrete filled columns compared to hollow sections, in the exposed bolt surface means 100ºC less. Conversely, a longer bolt shank of the fastener system embedded in concrete has a negligible effect on the temperature of the resistant part of the bolt. Regarding the fire capacity, the concrete core in the steel tube columns presents significant benefits in terms of fire resistance time and connection stiffness. Besides, the bolt anchorage enhances the stiffness at elevated temperatures, however, the failure of the shank next to the bolt head causes that the anchorage does not mean an improvement on the fire time resistance. / [ES] Las columnas tubulares de acero rellenas de hormigón presentan múltiples ventajas en términos de capacidad de carga, estética, ejecución y resistencia al fuego, gracias a la acción combinada de acero y hormigón. El esfuerzo realizado en las últimas décadas por conocer su comportamiento frente a diferentes cargas y bajo distintos parámetros ha dado lugar a una amplia difusión de su uso entre los diseñadores. No obstante, la forma de resolver la conexión con vigas de sección en I sigue siendo un hándicap y requiere un estudio específico. Una de las soluciones más comunes y populares para conectar las vigas de acero de sección abierta (vigas I) a columnas de acero de sección abierta es la conexión con chapa de testa, que en el caso de sección hueca requiere de tornillos especiales denominados tornillos ciegos, puesto que reciben el par de apriete desde una cara de la sección. En la actualidad existen diversos sistemas de fijación que permiten este tipo de conexiones y cuya respuesta y caracterización es objeto de numerosas investigaciones. En este sentido, la definición geométrica de la unión y las propiedades de los materiales son parámetros cruciales en el rendimiento de la conexión. La presente tesis analiza el comportamiento de los tornillos ciegos en el área traccionada de conexiones de placa de testa a columnas tubulares de acero rellenas de hormigón sometidas a momentos de flexión y a elevadas temperaturas. Las prestaciones de esta solución constructiva para la unión viga-columna tubular, junto con la ausencia de datos relacionados con su comportamiento en situación de incendio la convirtió en el objetivo del trabajo. En primer lugar, la investigación aborda el problema de transferencia de calor, analizando experimental y numéricamente la distribución de temperaturas en la sección de la conexión. En esta parte del estudio se obtienen los parámetros térmicos que caracterizan la respuesta térmica de la conexión a través de la calibración de los modelos numéricos con los datos experimentales. En segundo lugar, se realiza el estudio de la capacidad de los tornillos ciegos para soportar cargas de tracción en situación de incendio, es decir, se analiza cómo cambia el comportamiento de la conexión con sus características alteradas debido a las altas temperaturas. El estudio de las propiedades del material en función de la temperatura y su efecto sobre la respuesta de la conexión constituyen una parte importante de la investigación. Además, se evalúa la influencia del hormigón y el tipo de elemento de sujeción tanto en el comportamiento mecánico como termo-mecánico de la conexión. Por último, se estudia la capacidad de las uniones para cumplir con requerimientos de exposición al fuego de 30 minutos previamente al colapso. Como resultado de este trabajo se obtuvieron modelos de elementos finitos capaces de simular la conexión térmica y termo-mecánicamente, proporcionando patrones de comportamiento de gran utilidad en el diseño de las mismas. Entre las principales conclusiones, se observó la reducción de la temperatura en los tornillos gracias al núcleo de hormigón en columnas de hormigón lleno en comparación con secciones huecas, que ya en la superficie expuesta del tornillo se cuantificaba en 100ºC menos. Por el contrario, los elementos de fijación que presentaban mayor longitud de vástago de tornillo embebida en el hormigón, no generaban un efecto significativo sobre la temperatura de la parte resistente del perno. En cuanto a la capacidad resistente frente a fuego, el núcleo de hormigón supuso una mejora en términos de rigidez y de tiempo de resistencia al fuego. Sin embargo, el fallo de los pernos en una sección próxima a la superficie expuesta redujo el efecto esperado del anclaje del tornillo, que si bien implicaba una mayor rigidez de la conexión, no parecía mejorar el tiempo de resistencia a fuego. Finalmente se planteó la necesidad de / [CA] Els pilars tubulars d'acer omplerts de formigó (CFT) presenten molts avantatges en termes de capacitat de carrega, estètica, execució i resistència al foc, gràcies a l'acció combinada de l'acer i el formigó. L'esforç realitzat en les darreres dècades per conèixer el seu comportament enfront a diferents càrregues i sota distints paràmetres ha donat lloc a una amplia difusió del seu ús entre el dissenyadors. No obstant això, la manera de resoldre la connexió amb bigues de secció en I, continua sent un handicap i requereix d'un estudi específic. Una de les solucions més comuns i populars per a connectar les bigues d'acer de secció oberta (bigues I) a columnes d'acer de secció oberta és la connexió amb 'chapa de testa', que en el cas de la secció buida requereix de perns especials denominats perns cecs perquè es rosquen des d'una cara de la secció. En l'actualitat existeixen diversos sistemes de fixació que permeten aquest tipus de connexions, la resposta i caracterització dels quals es l'objectiu de nombroses recerques. En aquest sentit, la definició geomètrica de la unió i les propietats dels materials son paràmetres crucials en el rendiment de la connexió. Aquesta tesi analitza el comportament dels perns cecs en l'àrea traccionada de connexions de 'chapa de testa', a pilars tubulars d'acer omplerts de formigó, sotmeses a moments de flexió i a elevades temperatures. Les prestacions d'aquesta solució constructiva per a la unió biga-pilar tubular junt amb l'absència de dades relacionades amb el comportament en situació d'incendi, la van convertir en l'objectiu d'aquest treball. En primer lloc, la recerca aborda el problema de transferència de calor, analitzant tant experimental com numèricament la distribució de temperatures en la secció de la connexió. En aquesta part de l'estudi, s'obtenen el paràmetres tèrmics que caracteritzen la resposta tèrmica de la connexió mitjançant el calibratge del models numèrics amb les dades experimentals. En segon lloc, es realitza l'estudi de la capacitat dels perns cecs per a suportar càrregues de tracció en situació d'incendi, es a dir, s'analitza com canvia el comportament de la connexió amb les seues característiques alterades degut a les altes temperatures. L'estudi de les propietats del material en funció de la temperatura i el seu efecte en la resposta de la connexió formen també part de la recerca. Un contingut important d'aquest treball consisteix en determinar l'influencia del formigó i el tipus d'element de fixació tant en el comportament mecànic com termo-mecànic de la connexió. Per últim, s'estudia la capacitat de les unions per a complir amb els requeriments d'exposició al foc de 30 minuts prèviament al col·lapse. Com a resultat d'aquest treball s'obtingueren models d'elements finits amb capacitat per a simular el comportament tèrmic i termo-mecànic de la connexió, proporcionant patrons de comportament de gran utilitat en el disseny. Entre les principals conclusions, es va observar la reducció de la temperatura en els perns gràcies al nucli de formigó en pilars omplerts de formigó en comparació amb el pilars buits, on ja en la superfície esposada del cargol es quantificava en 100 ºC menys. Pel contrari, els elements de fixació que presentaven major longitud de embeguda en el formigó, no generaven un efecte significatiu en la temperatura de la part resistent del pern. En quant a la capacitat resistent davant del foc, el nucli de formigó va suposar una millora en termes de rigidesa i de temps de resistència al foc. Tanmateix, la fallada dels perns en una secció pròxima a la superfície esposada va reduir l'efecte esperat de la fixació del pern, que si be implicava una major rigidesa de la connexió, no semblava millorar el temps de resistència al foc. Finalment, es va plantejar la necessitat de aprofundir en l'anàlisi incorporant un major rang de paràmetres. / Pascual Pastor, AM. (2015). Fire behaviour of blind-bolted connections to concrete filled tubular columns under tension [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/53240