• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.705-717
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• 2018

This paper presents a numerical investigation on the mechanical performance of concrete-filled dual steel tubular columns of circular section subjected to concentric axial load. A three-dimensional numerical model is developed and validated against a series of experimental tests. A good agreement is obtained between the experimental and numerical results, both in the peak load value and in the ascending and descending branches of the load-displacement curves. By means of the numerical model, a parametric study is carried out to investigate the influence of the main parameters that determine the axial capacity of double-tube columns, such as the member slenderness, inner and outer steel tube thicknesses and the concrete grade - of both the outer concrete ring and inner core -, including ultra-high strength concrete. A total number of 163 numerical simulations are carried out, by combining the different parameters. Specific indexes are defined (Strength Index, Concrete-Steel Contribution Ratio, Inner Concrete Contribution Ratio) to help rating the relative mechanical performance of dual steel tubular columns as compared to conventional concrete-filled steel tubular columns, and practical design recommendations are subsequently given.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.571-597
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• 2016

A new unified design formula for calculating the composite compressive strength of the axially loaded circular concrete filled double steel tubular (CFDST) short and slender columns is presented in this paper. The formula is obtained from the analytic solution by using the limit equilibrium theory, the cylinder theory and the "Unified theory" under axial compression. Furthermore, the stability factor of CFDST slender columns is derived on the basis of the Perry-Robertson formula. This paper also reports the results of experiments and finite element analysis carried out on concrete filled double steel tubular columns, where the tested specimens include short and slender columns with different steel ratio and yield strength of inner tube; a new constitutive model for the concrete confined by both the outer and inner steel tube is proposed and incorporated in the finite element model developed. The comparisons among the finite element results, experimental results, and theoretical predictions show a good agreement in predicting the behavior and strength of the concrete filled steel tubular (CFST) columns with or without inner steel tubes. An important characteristic of the new formulas is that they provide a unified formulation for both the plain CFST and CFDST columns relating to the compressive strength or the stability bearing capacity and a set of design parameters.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.305-317
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• 2021

The mechanical behavior of the outer square inner circular concrete-filled dual steel tubular (SCCFT) stub columns under axial compression is investigated by means of experimental research, numerical analysis and theoretical investigation. Parameters such as diameter ratio, concrete strength and steel ratio were discussed to identify their influence on the mechanical properties of SCCFT short columns on the basis of the experimental investigation of seven SCCFT short columns. By establishing a finite element model, nonlinear analysis was performed to discuss the longitudinal and transverse stress of the dual steel tubes. The longitudinal stress characteristics of the core and sandwich concrete were also analyzed. Furthermore, the failure sequence was illustrated and the reasonable cross-section composition of SCCFT stub column was proposed. A formula to predict the axial load capacity of SCCFT stub column was advanced and verified by the results from experiment and the finite element.