Experimental investigation of eccentrically loaded fibre reinforced concrete-filled stainless steel tubular columns

This paper presents an experimental investigation of axially and eccentrically loaded plain and fibre reinforced (FR) concrete-filled stainless steel circular tubular columns. The composite columns were pin-ended subjected to axial and eccentric loads. The stainless steel tubes were relatively slender having a diameter-to-plate thickness ratio of 50. The composite columns had different lengths varied from 3D to 12D. The column ultimate loads, load–axial shortening relationships, load–strain relationships, load–mid-height lateral deflection relationships and failure modes of the concrete-filled stainless steel circular tubular columns were measured from the tests. The study has shown that FR concrete-filled stainless steel tubular columns offer a considerable increase in column ductility compared with plain concrete-filled tubular columns. The test ultimate loads were compared with the design ultimate loads calculated using the Eurocode 4 for composite columns. Generally, it has been shown that the EC4 accurately predicted the ultimate loads of axially loaded concrete-filled stainless steel circular tubular columns, but were quite conservative for predicting the ultimate loads of the eccentrically loaded columns. It has also been shown that the conservatism of the EC4 predictions is increased as the eccentricity is increased. The test results provide useful information regarding the behaviour of FR concrete-filled stainless steel columns.

► Tests on concrete-filled stainless steel circular tubular columns were reported.
► Plain and polypropylene fibre reinforced concrete were used.
► The composite columns were pin-ended having different lengths.
► The behaviour of the composite columns was highlighted, discussed and analysed.
► The test results were assessed against EC4 design guides.