Concrete-filled steel tubes subjected to axial compression and lateral cyclic loads

This paper presents an experimental work and analytical modeling for concrete-filled steel tubes (CFSTs) subjected to concentric axial compression and combined axial compression and lateral cyclic loading. The objective of the study is to evaluate the strength and ductility of CFST short columns and beam-column members under different bond and end loading conditions. Both bonded and unbonded specimens were tested, including application of the axial load to the composite steel-concrete section and to the concrete core only. Research findings indicate that the bond and end loading conditions did not affect the flexural strength of beam-column members significantly. On the other hand, the axial strengths of the unbonded short columns were slightly increased, compared to those of the bonded ones, while the stiffness of the unbonded specimens was slightly reduced. Test results were compared with the available design specifications, which were found to be conservative. The paper also presents an analytical model capable of predicting the flexural and axial load strength of CFST members. Experimental results were found to be in good agreement with the predicted values.