Experimental Study of Cellular Lightweight Concrete-Filled Steel Tube Columns Using Hydraulic Cement

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to report the results of an investigation on cellular lightweight concrete-filled steel tube columns using hydraulic cement (HCLCFT). The specimens have a circular cross-section with a diameter of 125 mm and a height of 750 mm. The studied variables are hollow steel tube wall thicknesses, and two different cement types; hydraulic cement (HC) and ordinary Portland cement (OPC). The cellular lightweight concretes have the targeted ultimate compressive strength of 15 MPa. A total of 12 column specimens were tested under incremental axial loading to their failure. According to the test results, the HCLCFT columns exhibit linear elastic behavior up to approximately 85-90% of their axial load capacities. After that, the behavior of the columns is nonlinear until their failure. This nonlinear phenomenon can be classified as the strain-softening type. It was found that the HCLCFT columns were failed due to cracking and crushing of the concrete core, as well as local buckling of the hollow steel tube. Finally, by comparing the efficiency of the hydraulic cement to that of ordinary Portland cement in the cellular lightweight concrete-filled steel tube column utilized in this study, it can be stated that the hydraulic cement can be used in alternative to ordinary Portland cement.