Work

Numerical Evaluation of Embedded I-Section Strengthening in Axially Loaded Composite Concrete-Filled Stainless Steel Tubes

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: To enhance the structural performance of concrete-filled steel tube (CFST) columns, various strengthening techniques have been proposed, including the use of internal steel stiffeners, external wrapping with carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheets, and embedded steel elements. However, the behavior of concrete-filled stainless-steel tube (CFSST) columns remains insufficiently explored. This study numerically investigates the axial performance of square CFSST columns internally strengthened with embedded I-section steel profiles under biaxial eccentric loading. Finite element (FE) simulations were conducted using ABAQUS v. 6.2, and the developed models were validated against experimental results from the literature. A comprehensive parametric study was performed to evaluate the effects of several variables, including concrete compressive strength (fcu), stainless-steel yield strength (fy), the depth ratio between the stainless-steel tube and the internal I-section (Dst/Dsi), biaxial eccentricities (ex and ey), and tube thickness (t). The results demonstrated that the axial performance of CFSST columns was most significantly influenced by increasing the Dst/Dsi ratio and load eccentricities. In contrast, increasing the concrete strength and steel yield strength had relatively modest effects. Specifically, the ultimate axial capacity increased by 9.97% when the steel yield strength rose from 550 MPa to 650 MPa and by 33.72% when the tube thickness increased from 3.0 mm to 5.0 mm. A strength gain of only 10.23% was observed when the concrete strength increased from 30 MPa to 60 MPa. Moreover, the energy absorption index of the strengthened columns improved in correlation with the enhanced axial capacities.

Source: Journal of Composites Science

DOI: 10.3390/jcs9090470