Experimental behaviour of RACFST stub columns after exposed to high temperatures

The experimental studies on the behaviour of recycled aggregate concrete-filled steel tube (RACFST) stub columns after exposed to high temperatures are reported in this paper. Forty specimens, including 32 RACFST stub columns and 8 normal concrete-filled steel tube (CFST) stub columns as reference, were tested, and the failure pattern, load versus strain relation and ultimate strength of the specimens were presented and analysed. Five types of concrete were produced: one reference concrete with natural aggregates, two concrete mixes with recycled coarse aggregate (RCA) replacement ratios of 50% and 100%, and two concrete mixes with recycled fine aggregate (RFA) replacement ratios of 50% and 100%. The specimens were exposed to 300 degrees C, 600 degrees C and 800 degrees C for 3 h. The test results showed that, due to the existence of the recycled aggregates, the post-fire performance of RACFST stub columns was lower than the corresponding normal CFST specimens under the same maximum temperature suffered, and the RACFST specimens with RCA had a better behaviour than those with RFA under the same recycled aggregate replacement ratio. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.