Mechanical behaviors of steel reinforced ECC / concrete composite columns under combined vertical and horizontal loading

In order to improve the load capacity, seismic performance and performance-cost ratio of the columns, the concrete at the base of reinforced concrete （RC） columns is substituted with engineered cementitious composites （ECC） to form ECC/RC composite columns. Based on the existing material properties, the mechanical behaviors of the ECC columns, ECC/RC composite columns and RC columns were numerically studied under combined vertical and horizontal loading with the software of ATENA. Then, the failure mechanism of ECC columns and ECC/RC composite columns were comprehensively studied and compared with that of the RC columns. Then, the effects of the height of the ECC, the axial compression ratio, and the transverse reinforcement ratio on the mechanical behaviors of the composite or the ECC column are studied. The calculation results show that the ultimate load capacity, ductility and crack resistance of the ECC or ECC/RC composite columns are superior to those of the RC columns. The ECC/RC composite column with a height of the ECC layer of 1.2h （ h is the height of the cross section） can achieve similar mechanical properties of a full ECC column. With high shear strength, ECC can undertake the shear force and significantly reduce the amount of stirrups, avoiding construction issues and promoting its engineering application.

Liquefaction mitigation in silty soils using composite stone columns and dynamic compaction

The objective of this study is to develop an analytical methodology to evaluate the effectiveness of vibro stone column (S.C.) and dynamic compaction (D.C.) techniques supplemented with wick drains to densify and mitigate liquefaction in saturated sands and non-plastic silty soils. It includes the following: (i) develop numerical models to simulate and analyze soil densitication during S.C. installation and D.C. process, and (ii) identify parameters controlling post-improvement soil density in both cases, and (iii) develop design guidelines for densification of silty soils using the above techniques. An analytical procedure was developed and used to simulate soil response during S.C. and D.C. installations, and the results were compared with available case history data. Important construction design parameters and soil properties that affect the effectiveness of these techniques, and construction design choices suitable for sands and non-plastic silty soils were identified. The methodology is expected to advance the use of S.C. and D.C. in silty soils reducing the reliance on expensive field trials as a design tool. The ultimate outcome of this research will be design charts and design guidelines for using composite stone columns and composite dynamic compaction techniques in liquefaction mitigation of saturated silty soils.

Seismic performance of recycled concrete-filled square steel tube columns

An experimental study on the seismic performance of recycled concrete-filled square steel tube （RCFST） columns is carried out. Six specimens were designed and tested under constant axial compression and cyclic lateral loading. Two parameters, replacement percentage of recycled coarse aggregate （RCA） and axial compression level, were considered in the test. Based on the experimental data, the hysteretic loops, skeleton curves, ductility, energy dissipation capacity and stiffness degradation of RCFST columns were analyzed. The test results indicate that the failure modes of RCFST columns are the local buckling of the steel tube at the bottom of the columns, and the hysteretic loops are full and their shapes are similar to normal CFST columns. Furthermore, the ductility coefficient of all specimens are close to 3.0, and the equivalent viscous damping coefficient corresponding to the ultimate lateral load ranges from 0.323 to 0.360, which demonstrates that RCFST columns exhibit remarkable seismic performance.

Axial Bearing Capacity of Short FRP Confined Concrete-filled Steel Tubular Columns

The bearing capacity of FRP confined concrete-filled steel tubular （FRP-CFST） columns under axial compression was investigated. This new type of composite column is a concrete-filled steel tube （CFST） confined with fiber-reinforced polymer （FRP） wraps. Totally 11 short column specimens were tested to failure under axial compression. The influences of the type and quantity of FRP, the thickness of steel tube and the concrete strength were studied. It was found that the bearing capacity of short FRP-CFST column was much higher than that of comparable CFST column. Furthermore, the formulas for calculating the bearing capacity of the FRP-CFST columns are proposed. The analytical calculated results agree well with the experimental results.

Seismic Behavior of Diaphragm-Through Connections of Concrete-Filled Square Steel Tubular Columns and H-Shaped Steel Beams

Based on the introductions of a type of diaphragm-through connection between concrete-filled square steel tubular columns (CFSSTCs) and H-shaped steel beams,a finite element model of the connection is developed and used to investigate the seismic behavior of the connection.The results of the finite element model are validated by a set of cyclic loading tests.The cyclic loading tests and the finite element analyses indicate that the failure mode of the suggested connections is plastic hinge at the beam with inelastic rotation angle exceeding 0.04 rad.The suggested connections have sufficient strength,plastic deformation and energy dissipation capacity to be used in composite moment frames as beam-to-column rigid connections.

Seismic behaviors of steel reinforced ECC/RC composite columns under low-cyclic loading

To improve the seismic performance of columns, engineered cementitious composite （ECC） is introduced to partially substitute concrete at the base of the columns to form ECC,/reinforced concrete （ RC） composite columns. The mechanical behaviors of the ECC/RC composite columns are numerically studied under low-cyclic loading with the finite element analysis softwareof MSC. MARC. It is found that the ECC/RC composite columns can significantly enhance the load capacity, the ductility ad energy dissipation of columns. Then, the effects of the height of the ECC, the axial compression ratio and the longitudinal reinforcement ratio on the seismic behaviors of the composite columns are parametrically studied. The results show that the ECC/RC composite column with a height of the ECC layer of 0. Sh（h is the height to the cross-section） can achieve similar seismic performance of a full ECC column. The peak load of the composite column increases significantly while the ductility decreases with the increase of the axial compression ratio. Increasing the longitudinal reinforcement ratio within a certain range can improve the ductility and energy dissipation capacity and almost has no effect on load capacity. The aalysis results ae instructive and valuable for reference in designing ECC structures.

Axial Compression Behavior and Analytical Method of L-Shaped Column Composed of Concrete-Filled Square Steel Tubes

Based on the characteristics of an L-shaped column composed of concrete-filled square steel tubes, the axial compression experiment and nonlinear finite element analysis were carried out to study the mechanical property of the L-shaped column. The load-displacement curve for the L-shaped column, the deflection and load-strain curves for the mono columns were obtained by the axial compression experiment. The results show that the L-shaped column exhibits a flexural-torsional buckling failure mode. The numerical simulation by the finite element analysis shows that the bearing capacity and failure mode are in accordance with those of the axial compression experiment and the feasi- bility of the finite element analysis is proved. For the calculation of the bearing capacity of the L-shaped column com- posed of concrete-filled square steel tubes, an analytical method is proposed based on the theory of the elastic stability and spatial truss model. The results of the analytical method are in good agreement with those of the axial compression experiment and the finite element analysis.

Influence of Axial Load Ratio on Shear Behavior of Through-Diaphragm Connections of Concrete-Filled Square Steel Tubular Columns

Nonlinear finite element analysis and parametric studies were carried out to study the influence of axial load ratio on the shear behavior of the through-diaphragm connections of concrete-filled square steel tubular columns. The analysis reveals that smaller axial load ratio can improve the shear bearing capacity and ductility while larger axial load ratio will decrease the shear behavior of the through-diaphragm connections. The parametric studies indicate that the axial load ratio should be limited to less than 0.4 and its influence should be considered in the analysis and design of such connections.

Behavior of slender steel concrete composite columns in eccentric loading

Ten slender steel reinforced cencrete （SRC） composite columns are tested under eccentric loading conditions. Effects of concrete strength, slenderness of columns and eccentricity of the axial load are studied. The load-carrying capacity is reduced with increased slenderness ratio and eccentricity. Concrete strength has no obvious influence on eccentrically loaded columns. Then, a nonlinear numerical method of pin-ended slender columns is also presented. This method is applicable for determining the material failure load or buckling failure load of a slender steel reinforced concrete composite column. In this method both material and geometric nonlinearities are taken into account. The results of numerical analysis accord well with the test results. The test results are also compared with the results predicted by ACI318-05 and the China Specifications.

Bearing capacity of composite columns reinforced by concrete filled steel tube

In this study, nine simplified short composite columns consisting of core CFST (concrete filled steel tube) of different diameters and outer reinforced concrete were constructed to study their compressive performance under axial or eccentric compression. The failure mode is characterized by the crush of the outer concrete. The bearing capacity increases at first and then decreases with further increase of the position coefficient. It can be concluded that position coefficient is an important structural parameter that has considerable influences on the ultimate bearing capacity of the composite columns. The outer concrete, steel tubes and longitudinal reinforcement are found to work in a cooperative manner under axial or eccentric compression when the position coefficient is about 0.5. An improved bearing capacity algorithm that takes the position coefficient into account has been proposed based on the experimental and simulation results and current technical specification in China. It has been proven to be precise and safe.

Mechanical Behavior of Rectangular Steel-Reinforced ECC/Concrete Composite Column under Eccentric Compression

In order to improve the seismic performance, deformation ability and ultimate load-carrying capacity of columns with rectangular cross section, engineered cementitious composite （ECC） is introduced to partially substitute concrete in the edge zone of reinforced concrete columns and form reinforced ECC/concrete composite columns. Firstly, based on the assumption of plane remaining plane and the simplified constitutive models, the calculation method of the load-carrying capacity of reinforced ECC/concrete columns is proposed. The stress and strain distribu- tions and crack propagation of the composite columns in different states of eccentric compressive loading are ana- lyzed. Then, nonlinear finite element analysis is conducted to study the mechanical performance of reinforced ECC/concrete composite columns with rectangular cross section. It is found that the simulation results are in good agreement with the theoretical results, indicating that the proposed method for calculating the load-carrying capacity of concrete/ECC composite columns is valid. Finally, based on the proposed method, the effects of ECC thickness, com- pressive strength of concrete and longitudinal reinforcement ratio on the mechanical performance of reinforced ECC/ concrete composite columns are analyzed. Calculation results indicate that increasing the thickness of ECC layer or longitudinal reinforcement ratio can effectively increase the ultimate load-carrying capacity of the composite column with both small and large eccentricity, but increasing the strength of concrete can only increase the ultimate Ioad- carrying capacity of the composite column with small eccentricity.

Low cyclic fatigue performance of concrete-filled steel tube columns

Eight concrete-filled steel tubular(CFT) columns were tested subjected to cyclic loading under constant axial load. Experimental parameters included axial compression ratio, loading sequences, and strength of concrete and steel. The seismic performance of CFT columns and failure modes were analyzed. The test results show that different axial load ratios and loading sequences have effects on the load carrying capacity, ductility and energy dissipation capacity of CFT columns, as well as the failure modes of the CFT columns. The failure pattern can be categorized into two types: local buckling failure of steel tube in compression zone, and low cycle fatigue tearing rupture failure of steel tube. The seismic behavior was evaluated through the energy index obtained from each cycle.

Local Tensile Strength of Connection Between H-Steel Beam Flange and Concrete-Filled Circular Column Tube with Through Diaphragm

This paper focused on investigating local tensile strength of connection between steel beam flange and concrete-filled circular column tube with through diaphragm. Three specimens were designed and tested to failure, and the structure behavior was studied by experiment and FEM analysis. On the basis of the results obtained, an estimation for local plastic and ultimate strengths of the connections using yield line theory was attempted, which results in a good prediction.

Analysis and seismic tests of composite shear walls with CFST columns and steel plate deep beams

A composite shear wall concept based on concrete filled steel tube （CFST） columns and steel plate （SP） deep beams is proposed and examined in this study. The new wall is composed of three different energy dissipation elements： CFST columns; SP deep beams; and reinforced concrete （RC） strips. The RC strips are intended to allow the core structural elements - the CFST columns and SP deep beams - to work as a single structure to consume energy. Six specimens of different configurations were tested under cyclic loading. The resulting data are analyzed herein. In addition, numerical simulations of the stress and damage processes for each specimen were carried out, and simulations were completed for a range of location and span-height ratio variations for the SP beams. The simulations show good agreement with the test results. The core structure exhibits a ductile yielding mechanism characteristic of strong column-weak beam structures, hysteretic curves are plump and the composite shear wall exhibits several seismic defense lines. The deformation of the shear wall specimens with encased CFST column and SP deep beam design appears to be closer to that of entire shear walls. Establishing optimal design parameters for the configuration of SP deep beams is pivotal to the best seismic behavior of the wall. The new composite shear wall is therefore suitable for use in the seismic design of building structures.

Comparison between Composite Column Using Limestone and Basalt Concrete

This research is conducted to study the experimental behavior of composite steel-concrete columns with basalt additives. Various percentages of basalt are added to the concrete mixes to investigate its effect on the total axial compressive capacity of the columns. Expected failure scenarios of the columns are: concrete compressive failure, buckling of steel section, and de-bonding between steel and concrete sections. A conventional limestone composite column was used as base mix. The results of the study indicate a significant improvement in structural behavior and strength of the columns by increasing the percentage of basalt content.

Behavior of eccentrically loaded concrete-filled GFRP tubular short columns

The glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) tube is an effective material that can increase the bearing capacity and ductility of concrete.To study the mechanical behavior of this composite structure,twenty-one concrete-filled GFRP tubular short columns were tested under an eccentric load.The principle influencing factors,such as the eccentricity ratio,concrete strength and ratio of longitudinal reinforcement were also studied.In addition,the course of deformation,failure mode,and failure mechanism were analyzed by observing the phenomena and summarizing the data.The test results indicated that the strength and deformation characteristics of core concrete increase as a result of the addition of the GFRP tube.However,the gain in strength due to the addition of the GFRP tube decreases as the ratio of e /d increases.An increase in the longitudinal steel ratio can improve the bearing capacity of the composite short column effectively.Furthermore,the study showed that the constraint effect of the GFRP tube on high-strength concrete is not as effective as that on common concrete.The reason is that the lateral deformation of the high-strength concrete is less than that of the common concrete when the concrete column was tested under the same axial compression ratio.

Ductility and Ultimate Capacity of Concrete-Filled Lattice Rectangular Steel Tube Columns

A kind of concrete-filled lattice rectangular steel tube(CFLRST)column was put forward.The numerical simulation was modeled to analyze the mechanical characteristic of CFLRST column.By comparing the load-deformation curves from the test results,the rationality and reliability of the finite element model has been confirmed,moreover,the change of the section stiffness and stress in the forcing process and the ultimate bearing capacity of the column were analyzed.Based on the model,the comparison of ultimate bearing capacity and ductility between CFLRST column and reinforced concrete(RC)column were also analyzed.The results of the finite element analysis show that the loading process of CFLRST column consists of elastic stage,yield stage and failure stage.The failure modes are mainly strength failure and failure of elastoplastic instability.CFLRST column has higher bearing capacities in comparison with reinforced concrete columns with the same steel ratio.In addition,the stiffness degeneration of CFLRST column is slower than RC column and CFLRST column has good ductility.

Seismic Behavior of Confined RC ColumnComposite Beam Joints

In order to evaluate the seismic behavior of confined RC column-composite beam joints, five interior joints were tested under low cyclic reversed load. The weakening extent of flanges, the number of studs, and whether to reinforce weakened flanges were used as parameters in designing these five joints. Failure characteristics, hysteretic curves, skeleton curves, ductility, energy dissipation, strength degradation, and stiffness degradation were analyzed. The test results revealed that the steel beam flanges in the joints were equivalent to the tie rod. Weakened flanges resulted in poor seismic behavior; however, the seismic behavior could be improved by increasing studs and reinforcing weakened flanges. The joint steel plate hoops, equivalent to stirrups, did not yield when the maximum load was reached, but yielded when the failure load was reached for the joints with shear failure. Increasing stud-type joints and reinforcing flange-type joints ensured good seismic behavior and met project requirements. Based on the experimental results, the failure mechanism of the joints was discussed, and the shear capacity equations of the joints was presented.

An Experimental Study of Composite Columns Filled with Eucalyptus nitens Timber under Axial Compression

Eucalyptus nitens(E.nitens)has been much used for producing paper but also shows promise for structural applications.In this study,static compressive tests were undertaken to examine its suitability to be used in an innovative composite column.The composite column was comprised of a rectangular steel tube with E.nitens timber infill.The nonlinear compressive behaviour of the composite column filled with E.nitens wood for both dry and wet conditions was examined.The same tests on rectangular steel tubes and bare dry and wet E.nitens samples were also undertaken as a comparison.For samples with different conditions,the ultimate capacity was evaluated and the effect of each condition on the compressive behaviour of the composite column was clarified.The steel tubes showed greater ductile behaviour,and more ductility was found in the wet samples.The steel tubes with E.nitens timber infill samples exhibited a greater linear elastic range connected with higher maximum loads,while the bare timber samples could support only lower maximum loads.The results from this research were promising for the use of rectangular steel tubes with E.nitens timber infill in structural applications.

Numerical Modeling on Seismic Performance of Castellated Composite Beam⁃Reinforced Concrete Column Connection

The hybrid structure consisting of castellated composite beam and compound spiral hoop reinforced concrete column take full advantages of steel and concrete material.To popularize the structural form in real conditions,a beam⁃through⁃type beam⁃column connection is proposed.Two 1/2⁃scaled connection specimens were tested and three⁃dimensional finite element models of the beam⁃column connection were set up.The longitudinal reinforcements,concrete beam,and column were simulated by link and solid elements,respectively.The influences of the parameters such as expansion ratio,location of web opening,and original height of steel beam were studied.The results show that connections possessed high initial rigidity.The expansion ratio of steel beam showed more important influence on the connection’s ultimate bearing capacity.For the connection models with steel beam expansion ratio of 1.4,the maximum increment of the ultimate bearing capacity of the connection could reach 28%.In order to prevent the local buckling failure of steel beam from occurring near web opening,the expansion ratio of steel beam should not be greater than 1.3.