Resistance of rectangular concrete-filled tubular (CFT) sections to the axial load and combined axial compression and bending

• Resistance of rectangular concrete-filled tubular section columns under combined compression and bending were studied.
• Squash load formula in the direct strength method accounts for post-local-buckling strength of steel skin.
• The compression and bending strength interaction curve was proposed.

This paper describes the development of the direct strength method (DSM) for concrete-filled tubular (CFT) sections. The axial and flexural strength of CFT sections with local buckling are proposed based on previous test results. Although Eurocode4 does not allow the use of slender steel skins for CFT sections, the limit of the width-to-thickness ratio for the steel skin has recently been extended to slender sections in AISC specifications. A simple formula for the axial and flexural strength of CFT sections for the DSM is proposed to account for the local buckling of a thin steel skin and for the enhanced compressive strength of concrete from the confining effect of the steel skin. The squash load predicted by the proposed formula is compared with test results and those predicted by AISC specifications and Eurocode4. A formula for strength interactions of CFT members under combined compression and flexure is proposed and is compared with test results. The comparison confirmed that the formula for axial and flexural strength and that for strength interactions can conservatively predict the resistance of CFT columns to the axial load and combined compression and bending.