Nonlinear behaviour of eccentrically loaded FR concrete-filled stainless steel tubular columns

• Nonlinear behaviour of eccentrically loaded composite columns was highlighted.
• Polypropylene fibre reinforced concrete was used to fill stainless steel tubes.
• The composite column strengths and moment resistances were predicted.
• An extensive parametric study was performed comprising 72 composite columns.
• The finite element analysis results were used to assess the EC4 design rules.

This paper investigates the nonlinear behaviour of eccentrically loaded fibre reinforced (FR) concrete-filled stainless steel tubular composite columns. A nonlinear 3-D finite element model for the axially loaded composite columns, recently reported by the author, was extended to study the structural performance of the eccentrically loaded composite columns. The columns were pin-ended subjected to an eccentric load acting along one axis. The model accounted for the inelastic behaviour of the composite column components, effect of FR concrete confinement and interface between the stainless steel section and concrete. The measured initial local and overall geometric imperfections were carefully incorporated in the model. The finite element model has been validated against tests previously reported by the author. Furthermore, the variables that influence the eccentrically loaded composite column behaviour and strength comprising different eccentricities, different column slenderness and different concrete strengths were investigated in an extensive parametric study comprising 72 columns. The composite column strengths and moment resistances predicted from the finite element analysis were compared with the design composite column strengths and moment resistances calculated using the Eurocode 4. The study has shown that finite element modelling could effectively assess the accuracy of the design rules in current codes of practice.