Experimental behaviour of eccentrically loaded slender circular hollow steel columns in-filled with fibre reinforced concrete

This paper is based on the experimental study of twelve slender steel tubular columns of circular sections filled with both plain and fibre reinforced concrete. The specimens were tested under eccentric compression to investigate the effects of fibre reinforced concrete on the strength and behaviour of slender composite columns. The slenderness ratio was considered to be the main test parameter. Hollow steel sections of similar specimens were also tested as reference columns. The test results were illustrated by load–deflection and load–strain curves. Various characteristics such as strength, stiffness, ductility, energy absorption capacity and failure mode are discussed. Interpretation of the experimental results indicates that the use of fibre reinforced concrete as infill material has a considerable effect on the strength and behaviour of slender composite columns.