Seismic Behavior of UHPC-Filled Rectangular Steel Tube Columns Incorporating Local Buckling

Abstract

This paper presents a numerical study on the static behavior and cyclic behavior of UHPC-filled steel tube (UHPCFST) columns. A novel fiber element model is developed based on the effective distribution width method to consider the influence of local buckling. The parameters of the descending branch of the stress–strain curve of constrained concrete have been modified and proposed according to the existing experimental results. Thereafter, the impact parameter analysis of the seismic performance of UHPCFST columns under the pseudo static load is conducted, and the strength of steel and UHPC, width–thickness ratio, length–diameter ratio and axial compression ratio are considered. The results indicate that the proposed fiber element model can accurately predict the static and cyclic nonlinear behaviors of the UHPCFST columns. The bearing capacity and the post-peak ductility of UHPCFST columns can be overestimated, such as neglecting the local buckling of the steel tube, which will lead to the insecurity of structures.