Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Concrete-filled tube (CFT)'

This thesis describes a research of the behaviour of the elliptical CFT columns under axial loading. The most substantial part of this research is experimental works conducted on twenty-seven specimens including the hollow stub columns as references. Parameters such as slenderness ratio, uni-axial compressive strength of concrete infill and the aspect ratio were considered to investigate their influence on the behaviour on these columns. The results presented are the first member buckling tests on elliptical CFT columns. Keys results from the tests have been presented and discussed. Parallel with the experimental works, numerical analyses were carried out and verified with the experimental results. Parametric studies were performed following the validation of the numerical models. As there is no design guidance seems to be available in any standard, thus this research provides a review of the existing design standards of Eurocode 4 (EC4) and American Specifications (AISC). The design expressions from these current design provisions for circular, square and rectangular concrete- filled tubes design strengths were used to predict the capacities of elliptical eFT columns. The influences of concrete enhancement, steel reduction due to biaxial effects and column slenderness were all incorporated in design rules of EC4. Based on the experimental, numerical findings the evaluations were made on the design rules of the codes. This investigation was aimed at providing reliable design guidelines for practising engineers to employ the elliptical concrete-infill columns in the construction industry.

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.

No presente trabalho foi analisado o comportamento de ligações viga-pilar em estruturas mistas de aço e concreto com o auxílio de simulação numérica e experimentação. A simulação numérica foi realizada no programa DIANA, baseado no método dos Elementos Finitos. Os modelos de ligações analisados são compostos por ligações com parafusos passantes entre pilares metálicos preenchidos com concreto e vigas metálicas. A laje utilizada foi do tipo com fôrma de aço incorporada, com a utilização de conectores de cisalhamento para resistir aos esforços em conjunto com a viga. Para simular a situação de pilar intermediário, foram utilizados modelos com formato cruciforme, os quais foram submetidos à força cíclica reversível com a finalidade de submeter à estrutura a esforços semelhantes aos provocados por vento e sismo. Além do efeito da força cíclica, este trabalho avaliou também a influência na rigidez da ligação causada pela taxa de armadura da laje e pelo detalhe de ancoragem da armadura de continuidade ao pilar misto. Para isso foram ensaiados quatro modelos. Dentro da metodologia proposta, obteve-se numérica e experimentalmente, dados que permitiram a construção de curvas momento versus rotação e força versus deslocamento para a quantificação da rigidez e determinação da ductilidade da ligação. Como resultado das análises concluiu-se que a laje contribui mais na rigidez da ligação quando ela está submetida a momento fletor positivo e com relação ao método de ancoragem não houve diferença significativa nas rigidezes.
This research studied the behavior of beam-column connection in composite steel-concrete structures and was developed with the use of numerical simulation and experimentation. The numerical simulation was performed using the program DIANA which is based on the finite element method. The models are composed of connections with bolts passing through the concrete filled tube (CFT) column and steel beams with a steel deck. It was used shear connectors for the slab works together with the beam to resist the bend. To simulate the situation of the middle column, they are used models with cruciform form, which were subjected to reversible cyclic loading in order to bring structure the efforts similar to those caused by wind and earthquake. Besides the effect of cyclic loading, this research also evaluated the influence on the connection stiffness caused by the slab reinforcement ratio and anchors detail to the column of some bars. To obtain this information four models were tested. Within the proposed methodology numerical and experimental data were obtained which made possible the construction of moment versus rotation curves and loading versus displacement for the quantification of stiffness and ductility of the connections. The result of this research shows that the slab contributes more on the increase of stiffness when the connection is subjected to sagging moment and about the method of anchoring, there is no significant difference on stiffness between the two methods.

El empleo de estructuras mixtas de acero-hormigón ha experimentado un aumento creciente en las últimas décadas, dado qu permiten un mejor aprovechamiento de las características de los materiales empleados, en comparación con estructuras de hormigón armado y acero trabajando de forma independiente. Este trabajo de investigación se centra en el estudio y análisis de pilares mixtos de tipo perfil tubular de acero, CFT (Concrete Filled Tube), rectangular o cuadrado, rellenos de hormigón de alta resistencia. Este tipo de pilares cuenta con ventajas respecto a otros pilares mixtos como el hecho de que el perfil de acero sirve de enconfrado para el núcleo de hormigón y a su vez, cuenta con suficiente capacidad resistente como para soportar las cargas exixtentes en fase de construcción. Todo ello permite un importante ahorro, tanto económico, como en las plazos de ejecución. Otras ventajas de estos pilares es que el perfil tubular confina el núcleo de hormigón y este a su vez evita que se produzca el pandeo local del tubo de acero, permitiendo así su plastificación y máximo aprovechamiento. Estas ventajas, proporcionan a los soportes ductibilidad característica muy importante frente a la acción sísima, de ahí que el uso de este tipo de pilares se haya extendido en países como Japón, Estados Unidos y China. Es importante, también, destacar el aumento de resistencia al fuego del sistema en comparación con un perfil de acero hueco. A partir del análisis del estado actual del conocimiento se ha planteado una campaña experiemental que cubre los aspectos no estudiados hasta el momento, y que constituyen los casos más habituales en la práctica real: soportes esbeltos o semiesbeltos sometidos a carga axial y diagrama de momentos no constante. En total se han efectuado 78 ensayos sobre pilares mixtos. Los resultados experimentales se comparan con las previsiones de las normativas de referencia más importantes para el cálculo de pilares mixtos: EC4, AISC 2010, BS5-400:2005, AS5100-6, DBJ13-51, etc, comprobando su validez para el tipo de pilar estudiado. Finalmente se ha planteado un modelo de cálculo simplificado basado en el método de amplificación de momentos y se ha ajustado el factor de rigidez a flexión de los pilares, así como un factor de conversión a diagrama de momentos constantes.
Hernández Figueirido, D. (2012). Estudio experimental del pandeo de perfiles tubulares rectangulares de acero, rellenos de hormigón de alta resistencia, bajo carga axial y diagrama de momentos variables [Tesis doctoral]. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/14724
Palancia

Concrete filled steel tubes are regarded as ideal frame members in seismic resisting systems, as they combine large axial and flexural capacity with ductility. The combination of the two materials increases the strength of the confined concrete and avoids premature local buckling of the steel tube. These benefits are more prominent for circular than for rectangular concrete filled steel tubes. However, most common connection configurations for circular concrete filled tubes are not economic in the US market due to (a) the desire of designers to use only fully restrained connections and its associated (b) high cost of fabrication and field welding. Research indicates that well designed partially restrained connections can supply equal or even better cyclic behavior. Partially restrained connections also possess potential capability to develop self-centering system, which has many merits in seismic design. The goal of this research is to develop a new connection configuration between circular concrete filled steel columns and conventional W steel beams. The new connection configuration is intended to provide another option for rapid assembling on site with low erection costs. The proposed connection is based on an extended stiffened end plate that utilizes through rods. The rods are a combination of conventional steel and shape memory alloy that provide both energy dissipation and self-centering capacity. The new connection configuration should be workable for large beam sizes and can be easily expanded to a biaxial bending moment connection.
Ph. D.

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The behaviour of circular concrete-filled steel tubes (CFT) with various concrete strengths under axial load is presented. The effects of steel tube thickness, the bond strength between the concrete and the steel tube, and the confinement of concrete are examined. Measured column strengths are compared with the values predicted by Eurocode 4, Australian Standards and American Codes. 15 specimens were tested with 30, 60 and 100 N/mm2 concrete strength, with a D/t ratio from 22.9 to 30.5. All the columns were 114 mm in diameter and 300 mm in length. The effect due to concrete shrinkage is critical for high-strength concrete and negligible for normal strength concrete. All three codes predicted lower values than that measured during the experiments. Eurocode 4 gives the best estimation for both CFT with normal and high-strength concrete.

Concrete-filled tubes (CFTs) are structural columns used to support compressive loads. A CFT takes advantage of the lateral confinement of the tube on the concrete core to increase the column strength. Since the development of CFT structures, steel has been the primary tube material. Over the last two decades however, fibre reinforced polymers (FRPs) have been increasingly used as tube materials because of their superior properties such as high specific strength and stiffness, superior corrosion resistance and good durability. This thesis describes a systematic experimental study of CFT columns with FRP as the tube material. This master’s project investigates the performance of FRP tubes of different properties and sizes. For this purpose, 12 CFT specimens with the length over diameter (L/D) ratios of 8 and 12, and diameter over tube thickness (D/t) ratios ranging from 11 to 43 were tested under compressive force with both ends of the columns set as pin joints. The experiments were carried out using a heavy loading machine and the experimental results are analysed in terms of strength and failure modes. The experimental results showed the significant improvements in column strength due to the confinement of the FRP tubes. It was demonstrated that while both L/D and D/t ratios influence column strength, D/t ratio plays a particularly important role in determining the column strength. The experimental results also showed the changes in failure modes with L/D and D/t ratios. To compare FRP tubes with plain concrete columns, an equivalent slenderness ratio for the CFT with FRP tube was derived. The equivalent slenderness ratio had good agreement with the D/t ration of the FRP tube. It was demonstrated that the equivalent slenderness can be used to determine the capacity of the CFT column using its D/t ratio.

Yes
This paper presents the experimental results of axial compression tests on concrete-filled bimetallic tubes (CFBT). The cross section of the bimetallic tube is composed of an outer layer made of stainless steel and an inner layer made of carbon steel. A total of 12 specimens with a circular cross section were tested under axial compression. The test parameters included the thickness of the stainless steel tube layer (tss=0-1.36 mm) and the compressive strength of the infilled concrete (fcu=21.1-42.8 MPa). Test results showed that, the two layers of the bimetallic tube worked well together, and the CFBT specimens exhibited ductile characteristics. The influence of the parameters on the failure mode, load versus deformation relationship, axial compressive strength, and strain development of the tested specimens were investigated. Finally, the feasibility of three existing design codes for predicting the axial compressive strength of CFST under axial compression was evaluated.
Tsinghua University Initiative Scientific Research Program, China Postdoctoral Science Foundation

Fiber reinforced polymers (FRPs) are increasingly being accepted in structural engineering applications. One promising system involves the use of concrete-filled FRP tubes (CFFTs) as bridge piers, columns or piles. While CFFT members have been extensively studied under various loading conditions, very little attention has been given to their connections to other structural components such as footings and beams. This study explores two different moment connections for CFFT members, using 13 medium-scale specimens and seven ancillary tests. The first connection involves embedment of the FRP tube into the concrete foundations during casting. Five-219 mm diameter (D) precast CFFTs were embedded into 500x500x500 mm concrete foundation each, at different embedment lengths ranging from 0.3D to 1.5D and tested in flexure as cantilevers with 1100 mm spans. The study showed that the optimal embedment length was 0.73D. This was essentially the minimum embedment length necessary to produce tension failure of the CFFT member outside the footing, rather than premature bond failure that would otherwise occur at lower loads. Additionally, six push-through tests were conducted on CFFT stubs embedded into footings. The average bond strength was found to be 0.75 MPa. The second connection involved adhesive bonding of hollow FRP tubes to short reinforced concrete circular stubs protruding from concrete footings. The remainder of the tube was then filled with concrete, without the need for shoring. Four-169 mm diameter FRP tubes were first adhesively bonded onto footings with heavily steel-reinforced concrete stubs varying in length from 0.5D to 2.0D, and tested as cantilevers with 1300 mm spans. The optimal bond length that would lead to flexural failure of the tube just outside the stub, rather than bond failure, was about 1.1D. Based on this, two additional specimens with 1.5D stubs having varying steel reinforcement ratio (ρ) in the stubs were tested. It was shown that the optimal ρ was 2.5%. Finally, the effect of low cycle reversed bending fatigue was studied using two additional specimens, including one with a sustained axial load of 15-19% of the CFFT axial capacity. Remarkable levels of ductility associated with the plastic hinge forming in the stub were observed.
Thesis (Master, Civil Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2010-01-28 16:09:40.606

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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.

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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.

Blasts and impacts are two of the severest loads a structure can experience. Blast experimenters, however, have observed that the load imparted to a circular member was lower than the predicted design load. Additionally, numerous investigations have established the superiority of concrete filled FRP tubes (CFFTs) over conventional reinforced concrete members. These observations indicated CFFTs’ potential to resist dynamic blast and impact loads. The experimental and numerical investigations presented in this thesis aimed to demonstrate the suitability of CFFTs to resist blast and impact loads, to determine the parameters that influence their behaviour under such loads, and to develop a design procedure for resisting these loads. The initial numerical investigation determined the reflected blast loading parameters experienced by a circular cross section. The experimental phase consisted of testing twelve full scale specimens, two monotonically, four under impact loading, and six under close-in blast loading. The monotonically tested specimens acted as controls for the entire program. The results of the impact testing investigation were used to develop and validate a non-linear single degree of freedom (SDOF) model. This impact phase also led to the development of relatively simple procedures for designing CFFTs under impact loading using either SDOF modeling or the conservation of energy. Analysis of the blast testing results led to the development of numerical procedures for obtaining an equivalent close-in blast loading for SDOF analysis of CFFTs and Pressure-Impulse diagrams. The use of SDOF modeling and conservation of energy in blast design were also discussed. Finally, a non-linear explicit dynamic model of CFFTs was developed using the commercial software ANSYS Autodyn. This model was verified using the experimental impact and blast test results and used to conduct a parametric study. The results of these investigations indicated that CFFTs were particularly suitable for blast and impact resistant applications, as their geometry diffracted blast waves and the addition of the tube increased their energy absorbing capacity significantly giving them additional strength and ductility. The tube also confined and protected the concrete core and simplified construction.
Thesis (Ph.D, Civil Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2014-01-27 15:57:52.768

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.

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.

The first part of this thesis addresses a new hybrid system, concrete-filled FRP tube (CFFT)-encased steel I-sections. The embedded steel section enhances flexural strength, stiffness and ductility, and facilitates connection of the CFFT member to footings or other members. Phase I addresses the flexural behaviour of the system through the testing of beam specimens with GFRP tubes which vary in thickness and laminate structure. The steel section enhances performance considerably, especially ductility, in tubes with cross-ply laminates, where significant sustained reserve strength remains upon fracture of the tube. CFFTs with angle-ply tubes show considerable inherent ductility on their own, although adding the steel section enhances strength and stiffness. Phase II addresses the development of a moment connection through cantilever tests. The connection consists of steel base plates welded to the steel sections, which are embedded into CFFT members at various length-to-span (Ls/L) ratios between 0.1 and 1.0. Three distinct failure modes are observed. At (Ls/L) ratios below 0.17, premature bond failure occurs. At ratios of 0.17 to 0.47, flexural tension failure of the tube occurs just beyond the free end of the steel section. Beyond a 0.47 ratio, the plastic hinge capacity is developed at the fixed end. A simple design-oriented model to predict strengths of the connection at the full range of (Ls/L) ratios is developed and validated. Also, a readily available computer program is adopted to model flexural behaviour of the CFFT-steel member itself. The second part of the thesis investigates unreinforced CFFT members, with emphasis on moment connections to concrete footings. The study explores the effect of maximum shear and maximum moment, both occurring at the same location, on the ultimate strength of CFFTs. Testing involves simple beams and cantilever specimens with varying shear spans and fixed end arrangements. End conditions consist of either direct embedment into concrete blocks with steel dowels, or mechanical clamping. For the cross-ply GFRP tubes used, the presence of shear at the location of maximum moment near the connection of the cantilevers does not reduce flexural capacity. Slip can prevent the CFFT member from attaining the potential moment capacity in spite of the tube failing due to tensile rupture.
Thesis (Master, Civil Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2013-03-11 19:08:17.048