Axial compressive behavior of square composite columns confined by multiple spirals

•Square composite columns confined by multiple interlocking spirals were proposed.•Specimens were tested under axial compression.•Multiple spirals enhanced axial strength and deformability of the columns.•Structural steel shape provided confinement for core concrete.•Analytical model predicted well the behavior and peak load of the columns.

This study elucidates experimentally and analytically the axial compressive load-carrying capacity and behavior of square composite steel and concrete columns confined by multiple interlocking spirals. The variables of the specimens included type of the lateral reinforcement (rectilinear hoops and multiple spirals), spacing of the lateral reinforcement, and shape of the structural steel section (cruciform and box-shaped). Specimens were tested under monotonically increased axial load. The test results demonstrated that the composite columns with multiple spirals achieved great axial load-carrying capacity and deformability because of the excellent concrete confinement attributed to the multiple interlocking spirals and the structural steel section. Smaller spacing of the spirals and larger area of the highly confined concrete in the composite columns resulted in the better strength and ductility of the columns. An analytical model was proposed to calculate the load–displacement relations of the specimens, and the model predicted well the behavior of the specimens. The effectiveness of the multiple interlocking spirals in the square composite columns was evident via this study.