Impact of concrete strength on seismic behavior of T-shaped double-skin composite walls

This study investigates the seismic performance of T-shaped double-skin composite walls (DSCWs), which are comprised of double-skin composite flange and web walls and concrete filled steel tubular (CFST) boundary elements, through experimental tests. Six T-shaped DSCW specimens, which are categorized into three groups, according to flange width and type of mechanical connectors (shear studs/tie bars), are tested under combined axial compressive loads and lateral cyclic loads. The DSCWs fail in a ductile flexural mode with similar damage patterns, characterized by buckling of steel tubes and faceplates, concrete crushing, and fracture of steel tubes at the wall base, and exhibit asymmetric hysteresis behaviors, with higher stiffness and strength but lower deformation capacities when the flange walls are under tension. Special focus should be placed on the design of CFST boundary element connected to the web wall, whose compressive failure triggers the loss of load carrying capacity of the specimens. The comparisons between the behaviors of two specimens in each group, which are infilled with high strength (C70) and normal strength concrete (C30) respectively, suggest that employment of high strength concrete improves the seismic behavior of T-shaped DSCW significantly regardless of the flange wall width when shear studs are used. Tie bars may impair the seismic behaviors of DSCWs by inducing premature local buckling of perforated steel faceplates. Numerical studies are conducted using detailed finite element models to investigate the buckling behaviors of steel faceplates which are connected to infilled concrete by tie bars and shear studs. The simulation results reveal that the former buckles earlier than the latter due to smaller critical stress. The slenderness ratio limits to prevent local buckling prior to yielding of steel faceplates are also suggested when these two types of mechanical connectors are used.

Automated summary

The study investigates the seismic performance of T-shaped double-skin composite walls through experimental tests, identifying ductile flexural failure modes characterized by buckling of steel tubes and faceplates, concrete crushing, and fracture of steel tubes at the wall base. High strength concrete filling significantly improves the seismic behavior of T-shaped DSCW, while tie bars may impair seismic behaviors by inducing premature local buckling. Numerical studies suggest slenderness ratio limits to prevent local buckling when using different types of mechanical connectors.