FE modelling and fire resistance design of concrete filled double skin tubular columns

Concrete filled double skin tubular columns (CFDST) have excellent structural behaviour. They have been used as transmission towers and have potential to be used as building columns and bridge piers. Performance of the CFDST columns under ambient temperature has been well studied, whereas fire resistance of such columns is still a major concern. A summary of a series of fire tests on CFDST columns conducted by the authors is briefly presented in the paper. A finite element numerical model is developed to analyse the fire behaviour of CFDST columns, namely thermal and structural responses under fire exposure. The model is verified by the test results and then used to perform parametric analyses. Parameters which have significant effect on the fire behaviour of CFDST columns are identified. Based on the parametric studies, suggestions on the fire resistance design of such columns are made. Practical design tables are derived for the fire resistance design of some typical CFDST columns.

Research Highlights
► We simulate the fire behaviour of concrete-filled double skin tubular columns.
► We examine the effect of load level, inner tube capacity and fire protection.
► We provide design tables for typical CFDST columns for multi-storey buildings.