Seismic Performance of Concrete-Filled Steel Tubular (CFST) Structures

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International Conference on

Seismic Design of Industrial Facilities


2013, RWTH Aachen University

Seismic Performance of Concrete-Filled Steel


Tubular (CFST) Structures

Lin-Hai Han*, Wei Li


Department of Civil Engineering, Tsinghua University
Beijing, 100084, China
*
lhhan@tsinghua.edu.cn

ABSTRACT:
Concrete-filled steel tube (CFST) consists of outer steel tube and concrete in-filled,
which combines the merits of steel and concrete. This kind of composite member
has various advantages, i.e., high strength and high ductility, favorable cyclic
behaviour, high fire resistance and excellent constructability, have been recognized
all over the world. Nowadays CFST has been widely used in construction,
including many industrial facilities. This paper gives a brief review on the
investigations of seismic behaviour of CFST members, joints, planar frames,
hybrid walls and high-rise buildings, especially in China. The development of
concrete-filled steel tubular members' family is introduced. Some industrial
projects utilizing CFST members are also presented.

Keywords: Concrete-filled steel tube, Members, Joints, Structural systems,


Seismic behaviour

1 Introduction
In concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) members, steel and concrete are used such
that their natural and most prominent characteristics are taken advantage of. The
behaviour of the composite member will be better than the simple combination of
two materials. In addition, there is no need for the use of shuttering during concrete
construction, and the construction cost and time are therefore reduced. These
advantages have been widely recognized and have led to the extensive use of CFST
structures [1].
Fig. 1(a) shows a typical CFST cross-section, where the concrete is filled in a
circular hollow section (CHS). The square hollow section (SHS) and the
rectangular hollow section (RHS) are also widely used in construction. Other cross-
sectional shapes have also been used for esthetical purposes, such as polygon,
round-ended rectangular and elliptical shapes. Besides the common concrete-filled
steel tubes, there are other types of "general" member designation in the CFST
family. Some of them are shown in Fig. 1 as follows: concrete-filled double skin

S. Klinkel et al. (Eds.), Seismic Design of Industrial Facilities, 361


DOI 10.1007/978-3-658-02810-7_30, © Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden 2014
362 L.-H. Han, W. Li

steel tube (CFDST) (Fig. 1 (b)) [2], concrete-encased concrete-filled steel tube
(Fig. 1 (c)) [3], reinforced concrete-filled steel tube (Fig. 1 (d)). Besides being used
as single elements in construction, various combinations of concrete-filled steel
tubular members are also used. For instance, the hollow steel tubes can be used to
form a latticed member, as shown in Fig. 1 (e) [4]. Moreover, due to architectural
or structural requirements, inclined, tapered or non-prismatic members have been
used [5]. Research results for these columns have shown that the steel tube and the
concrete can work together well, despite the inclined angle, the tapered angle or the
curvature of the member.

Steel tube Steel tubes Steel tube Steel tube


Concrete Steel Hollow steel tube
Concrete

Reinforcement Concrete CFST


Concrete
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e)

Figure 1: General CFST cross sections

Some recent research work on the seismic performance of CFST structures in


China is summarized in this paper. The investigations on members, joints, planar
frames, hybrid walls and high-rise buildings are reviewed. Some examples of
industrial facilities using CFST structures are also presented.

2 Seismic performance of CFST structures


M
2.1 Members B
My D 4 C
Numerous investigations have been 3 1 Kp
conducted for concrete-filled steel Ms A
tubes under cyclic loading, and several 5′ 2′
K
state of the art reports or papers were O φy φ
also published on CFST structures [1]. 2 5
It has been demonstrated that this kind A′
of composite member has excellent 3′
C′ 4′ B 1′ D
ductility and energy dissipating
capacity.
Figure 2: Moment versus curvature
For the moment versus curvature relationship for circular CFST [7]
response and the lateral load versus
lateral displacement relationship, hysteretic models were proposed for the cyclic
response based on parametric studies, as shown in Fig. 2. Key parameters such as
Seismic Performance of Concrete-Filled Steel Tubular (CFST) Structures 363

axial load level, steel ratio, slenderness ratio and material strength were studied.
The results from theoretical models showed a good agreement with the test ones
(with a difference less than 12%) [6][7].
As the general CFST members are used in structures in seismic regions, studies on
the cyclic behaviour of concrete-encased CFST members, FRP-concrete-steel
members, and CFDST members were also conducted [3][8][9]. In general these
columns exhibited a good ductility and favorable energy dissipation capacity.

2.2 Joints
A proper connection details plays an important role in the structural system. The
"weak beam-strong column" concept is adopted in various seismic design codes in
different countries. In the past, some research has been conducted on steel beam to
CFST column joints, which involved experimental studies to assess the elasto-
plastic behaviour of the composite joints, and were reviewed by Han and Li [10].

RC slab

Concrete crush

CFST column Steel beam


Buckling
thickness

Rigid
=slab

RC slab
Link
element

Steel beam
Panel zone element
Buckling spring Pinned
Rigid connection Column
element

Figure 3: Research on CFST joint [10][11][12]

For composite joints consisted of circular CFST columns and steel beams, Han and
Li [10] conducted experimental investigation on the joint seismic behaviour where
the reinforced concrete slab was attached, as shown in Fig. 3. Experiments were
carried out on the composite joints with constant axial load on the top of column
and reverse cyclic loading at the ends of beams. The results showed that the load
versus deflection curves were plump, and stable strength and stiffness degradations
were observed under cyclic loading. Nonlinear finite element analysis (FEA) was
also conducted [11]. The accuracy of the FEA model was verified by extensive
experimental results. The failure modes, force transfer mechanism, force versus
deformation relations of the composite joints were analyzed by the FEA model.
364 L.-H. Han, W. Li

For the macro joint model used in the structural system analysis, Li and Han [12]
proposed a joint macro model for the CFST column to beam joint with RC slab, as
shown in Fig. 3. A shear versus shear deformation hysteretic relation for the panel
zone was established based on the parametric analysis, and then it was implanted in
this macro model. It is concluded that the proposed hysteretic relation and the joint
macro element had a favorable accuracy when compared with the FEA and
experimental results.

2.3 Planar Frame


Composite frames using CFST columns are being used more and more popularly in
building structures, which is owed to the excellent earthquake-resistant and fire-
resistant properties of the column. The CFST column is usually connected to the
steel beam in the structural system (named CFST frame in this paper).

Figure 4: Failure modes of CFST frame (Adopted from Han et al. 2011[13])

Experimental as well as numerical investigations have been conducted for this


particular kind of composite frame. An accurate FE model was proposed to predict
the frame behaviour under lateral load, and the experimental research was carried
out to study the frame behaviour under the cyclic loading, as shown in Fig. 4 [13].
The results showed that this kind of composite frame had an excellent seismic
resistance and the beam failure mode was expected when the weak-beam-strong-
column design criteria was used. The lateral load-carrying capacity, ductility
coefficient and the energy dissipation capacity decreased when the column axial
load level increased from 0.07~0.6. Simplified hysteretic models for lateral load
versus lateral displacement relationship were also proposed for composite frames,
which will be useful in the dynamic analysis of CFST structures [14][15].

2.4 Hybrid shear wall


In the CFST hybrid structural systems, the shear walls can also be built after the
composite frame was established. The CFST frame served as the outer boundary of
the shear wall panels. The overturning moment can be resisted by the frame and the
Seismic Performance of Concrete-Filled Steel Tubular (CFST) Structures 365

cracking development of RC wall can be restrained. Besides, the CFST columns


can still resist part of the lateral load and considerable axial load after the RC wall
deteriorated.
Tests results showed that the
hybrid shear wall exhibited a
shear-dominant failure mode,
as shown in Fig. 5 [16]. The
measured load versus
deformation hysteretic curves
showed an obvious pinch
effect due to the deterioration
of the RC shear wall. The Figure 5: Failure mode of Hybrid wall.
deformation capacity of this (Adopted from Liao et al. 2009 [16])
hybrid structures could meet
the Chinese code's requirements for seismic design, and the CFST columns and RC
shear wall can work together well by using U-shaped connectors.

2.5 Hybrid structural system


In high-rise buildings or super
high-rise buildings, the CFST
composite frame structures are
often combined with other lateral
load resisting systems such as
reinforced concrete or steel shear
walls or core tubes. The frame
using concrete-filled steel tubular
Cracks
columns integrates high stiffness
and high ductility, and works well
with the shear walls or core tubes
in hybrid structural systems. The
RC core walls can be built several
storeys before the frame Figure 6: Shaking table tests
installation to accelerate the of CFST hybrid systems [17]
construction speed. Shaking table
tests have been performed for the CFST frame and RC core tube hybrid system, as
shown in Fig. 6. Two building models with 30 storeys were tested under various
earthquake excitations [17]. Each building model had 20 CFST columns, and the
difference between two models was the cross-sectional type of CFST columns, i.e.
circular and square respectively. The results showed that the first order damping
ratios of the building models range from 3.0% to 3.5% before the earthquake
excitations. The second order damping ratio is about 2.5%~3%. The first order
damping ratios range from 3.5% to 4% after 0.6g earthquake excitations. The
366 L.-H. Han, W. Li

frames using circular and square CFST columns both exhibited the excellence of
high stiffness and outstanding ductility, and cooperated well with the core wall in
the high-rise hybrid structural system.

3 CFST used in industrial facilities


Concrete-filled steel tubular columns have been used in China for almost 50 years.
They have been used in numerous buildings, bridges and other structures, including
many industrial facilities. The high resistance, high stiffness and favorable dynamic
behaviour of CFST members met the requirements of heavily loaded industrial
facilities. When compared to steel structures, less steel can be used for CFST
structures, and the fire resistance will be better. When compared to reinforced
concrete structures, the fast-built construct ability of CFST structures can save the
time as well as the cost.

CFST columns

CFST columns

(a) (b)
CFST columns

CFST columns

(c) (d)
Figure 7: CFST members used in industrial facilities [1]

The concrete-filled steel tube has been used in industrial facilities in the north of
China since 1970s. The column usually resists axial load and bending in workshop
or industrial buildings. If the single column is applied, the column is an
eccentrically-loaded one. Therefore built-up CFST members are popular in
Seismic Performance of Concrete-Filled Steel Tubular (CFST) Structures 367

workshop buildings. Each column in the built-up member is close to an axially-


loaded member. The number of the longitudinal column elements depends on the
load resistance requirement.
Fig. 7 (a) shows a workshop using the single CFST column as the main support.
Fig. 7 (b) shows the latticed CFST columns used in a power plant workshop. The
hollow steel tubes were used as the lacing strut. The steel used in CFST column
was only 55% of the pure steel column in similar workshops. Fig. 7 (c) shows a
shipyard under construction, where triangular latticed CFST columns were used.
Fig. 7 (d) shows a photo of coal trestle using CFST members, where latticed
members with four longitudinal column elements and lacing bars were used.
On the other hand, it is well known that industrial facilities may be subjected to
other aggressive environmental conditions such as the corrosion. Therefore the
structural life-cycle performance should also be taken consideration of during the
design. Some primary research has been conducted, and it was important to include
all the loading and environmental conditions in the analysis [18].

4 Concluding remark
The scope of "concrete-filled steel tube" has been extended greatly by researchers
and engineers. In general, the concrete-filled steel tubular structures have favorable
ductility and energy dissipation capacities, and are suitable for the structures in
seismic regions. Simplified hysteretic models for load-deformation relationships
were developed for CFST members, joints and frames. When compared to
reinforced concrete and steel structures, the CFST structures have their own
advantages, and could be used in industrial facilities in earthquake-prone areas.

5 Acknowledgements
The research reported in the paper is part of Projects 51178245 and 51208281
supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), as well as the
Tsinghua Initiative Scientific Research Program (No. 2010THZ02-1).

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