Experimental study on the seismic behavior of high strength concrete filled double-tube columns

To study the seismic behavior of high strength concrete filled double-tube (CFDT) columns, each consisting of an external square steel tube and an internal circular steel tube, quasi-static tests on eight CFDT column specimens were conducted. The test variables included the width-to-thickness ratio (beta (1)) and the area ratio (beta (2)) of the square steel tube, the wall thickness of the circular steel tube, and the axial force (or the axial force ratio) applied to the CFDT columns. The test results indicate that for CFDT columns with a square steel tube with beta (1) of 50.1 and 24.5, local buckling of the specimen was found at a drift ratio of 1/150 and 1/50, respectively. The lateral force-displacement hysteretic loops of all specimens were plump and stable. Reducing the width-to-thickness ratio of the square steel tube, increasing its area ratio, or increasing the wall thickness of the internal circular steel tube, led to an increased flexural strength and deformation capacity of the specimens. Increasing the design value of the axial force ratio from 0.8 to 1.0 may increase the flexural strength of the specimens, while it may also decrease the ultimate deformation capacity of the specimen with beta (1) of 50.1.