Experimental Study on a Prefabricated Lightweight Concrete-Filled Steel Tubular Framework Composite Slab Structure Subjected to Reversed Cyclic Loading

Abstract

A building structure comprising a prefabricated lightweight concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) framework composite slab structure is proposed. Five full-scale specimens (i.e., one empty framework and four-walled frameworks) were tested under reversed cyclic loading to study their earthquake-resistance performance. Of the four wall specimens, three were walled using composite slabs, one had no openings, one had a window opening, and one had a door opening. One was walled with a concealed steel-truss slab. A comparative study on the strength, stiffness, ductility, hysteresis characteristics, and dissipated energy of the specimens was performed. The working mechanism of the framework and slab was then analyzed. The results show that, if reasonably assembled and connected, the framework and slab work in a well-coordinated manner. The walled framework had greater lateral load-bearing capacity, better energy-dissipation, greater stiffness reduction, and better deformability than an empty framework. The area and type of slab opening had a significant impact on structural performance because a door or window opening contributed to a smaller lateral load-bearing capacity and initial secant stiffness of the structure. However, this had no clear impact on the accumulative dissipated energy of the structure.