Circumferential gap and partial debonding effects on buckling loads and modes of slender CFST circular columns

This paper presents a new mathematical model for analytical investigation of global buckling behavior of slender concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) columns with circumferential gaps and partial debonding between the concrete core and the steel tube. The analytical buckling load of circular and slender CFST columns with circumferential gaps and partial debonding is derived for the first time. The critical buckling load decreases as the magnitude and length of the circumferential gap increases. Nevertheless, it is shown that if the length of the circumferential gap is smaller than the length of the CFST column, this effect is less than 4%. On the other hand, for a fully delaminated CFST column, this effect can be up to approximately 40%. Similarly, the first buckling shape modes proved to be notably affected by the circumferential gap only if its length is greater than 75% of the CFST column length. The results can be used as a benchmark solution for the buckling problem of slender circular CFST columns with circumferential gaps and partial debonding between the materials.