This paper presents the behavior and design of axially loaded normal and steel fiber reinforced
concrete in-filled steel tube (SFRCFT) columns, to examine the contribution of steel fibers on the
compressive strength of the composite columns. Non-linear finite element analysis model (FEA) using
ANSYS software has been developed and used in the analysis. The confinement effect provided by the steel
tube is considered in the analysis. Comparisons of the analytical model results, along with other available
experimental outputs from literature have been done to verify the structural model. The compressive strength
and stiffness of SFRC composite columns were discussed, and the interpretation of the FEA model results
has indicated that, the use of SFRC as infill material has a considerable effect on the strength and stiffness of
the composite column. The analytical model results were compared with the existing design methods of
composite columns – (EC4, AISC/LRFD and the Egyptian code of Practice for Steel Construction,
ECPSC/LRFD). The comparison indicated that, the results of the FEA model were evaluated to an
acceptable limit of accuracy. The code design equations were modified to introduce the steel fiber effect and
compared with the results of the FEA model for verification. |
