Study of the Axial Compressive Behaviour of Cross-Shaped CFST and ST Columns with Inner Changes

Abstract

In this study, novel cross-shaped concrete-filled steel tube (CFST) and steel tube (ST) columns were developed. CFST columns have a high load-carrying capacity and excellent performance under seismic conditions, and the construction process is fast. In order to investigate the axial load bearings and failure mechanisms, six specimens of CFST and ST columns were tested under the axial load. Three different forms of CFST were employed in this study; one was an ordinary cross-shaped CFST (OC-CFST), while the other two were executed with significant inner changes; namely, stiffeners cross-shaped CFST (SC-CFST), and multi-cell cross-shaped CFST (MC-CFST) filled with concrete. The other group has the same OC-ST, SC-ST, and MC-ST, but these test subjects were without filled concrete. Through discussion of the failure mechanism, load displacement and load strain correlations are determined. The effects of parameters on ultimate resistance, failure pattern, and ductility index were studied. The axial load-carrying performance of the cross-shaped CFST columns was 75–80% better than that of ST columns; and each ST column displayed cooperative behavior. The finite element model (FEM) was simulated, and the outcomes of the experiments were used to validate it. The load–displacement relationships were established using parametric analysis. Existing design standards were used to calculate CFST column loading capacity. Finally, mathematical formulas were improvised to determine the ultimate load of the cross-shaped CFST column.