Thin-Walled Structures 64 (2013) 83–93

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Thin-Walled Structures
journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/tws

Experimental study of rectangular CFST columns subjected

to eccentric loading
Xiushu Qu, Zhihua Chen n, Guojun Sun
Structural Engineering, School of Civil Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, PR China

a r t i c l e i n f o abstract

Article history: To study the behavior of rectangular CFST columns subjected to eccentric loading, a total of 17
Received 16 February 2012 rectangular CFST columns uniaxial and biaxial bending tests were carried out. Concrete compressive
Accepted 14 December 2012 strength, steel strength, cross-sectional proportion and eccentricity were selected as the variables to
Available online 22 January 2013
be investigated. The relationship between the load and the lateral displacement at the mid-height of
Keywords: the columns in the directions of both the strong and weak axes and the relationships of load versus
Biaxial bending end shortening for each specimen were duly recorded. The influences of the constraining factor and
Concrete contribution ratio (CCR) eccentric ratio in relation to the strength and ductility indexes of the specimens were investigated.
Concrete-filled steel tube (CFST) Moreover, in order to achieve the ultimate bearing capacity of the relative rectangular hollow sections
Uniaxial bending
with a load of the same eccentricity, the rectangular hollow section models were established by means
of the FEM. The concrete contribution ratio necessary for the rectangular CFST columns to be able to
resist the eccentric loading was obtained also through comparison of the simulated results and the test
data. Finally, based on the definitions and conclusions obtained for the design strength of rectangular
CFST columns relying on the ‘‘Technical specification for design of steel structure dwelling houses in
Tianjin’’ code (DB 29-57-2003), a factor b was proposed to enhance the steel strength in order to take
into account the concrete contribution to the resistance. The modified equation can subsequently
provide improved understanding and a more accurate predictive ability or value.
Crown Copyright & 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

1. Introduction
In the normal course of events the composite columns will
necessarily be subjected to eccentric loads in practical engineer-
ing. In addition, the corner columns usually need to be subjected
to a combination of both compression and biaxial bending.
The related information that refers to the bearing capacity of
CFST columns under this combination of compression and bend-
ing are currently provided in the form of the design codes, such
as EC4 [1], ACI318M-05 [2], GJB(4142-2000) [3]and AISC 2005 [4].
The thrust–moment (P–M) interaction curve is usually used in
fact for predicting the bearing capacity of the reinforced concrete
structure under eccentric loading. This method has also been
found to be adopted in the design of composite structures too. The
exact P–M interaction curves found in current design codes are
based on a summary of test results or alternatively through the
fiber analysis method. However, to make it more convenient for
the purposes of design, some codes have adopted a simplified
P-M interaction curve to predict the design resistance strength of
composite columns. The current typical interaction curves are the
n
Corresponding author.
E-mail address: zhchen@tju.edu.cn (Z. Chen).
AISC 2005 simplified bilinear interaction curve and the simplified
4-line interaction curve proposed by EC4. The AISC 2005 simplified
bilinear curve was revised based on changes in approach provided
by AISC 2001 [5]. On account of the AISC 2001 approach not
suitably taking consideration of the contribution of the concrete;
as a result the code does not realize the differences in behavior
between pure steel members and composite members: in fact it
usually provides an overly conservative estimation. To make it
more accurate and safe for design, the revised version-AISC
2005 provides two new simplified interaction curves for composite
structure. One of them is the rigid-plastic approach, which is
similar with the EC4 simplified interaction curve. However, it is
still different in relation to how it calculates the concrete stress
value and, as well, as to how the concrete contributes in resisting
the pure bending: this as well should be considered.
Some researchers have undertaken an investigation into the
behavior of CFST columns subjected to eccentric loading [6–16].
Of all these experimental studies on CFST columns, greatest
efforts were placed on research intending to determine the failure
mode as well as the bearing capacity for the tested specimens.
However, as to the concrete contribution to the columns ability to
resist combined compression and bending, and especially to resist
combined compression and biaxial bending: this type of research
analysis is still lacking and in need of further research.

0263-8231/$ - see front matter Crown Copyright & 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tws.2012.12.006
84 X. Qu et al. / Thin-Walled Structures 64 (2013) 83–93
Nomenclature
Ac cross-sectional area of concrete core;
As cross-sectional area of steel tube;
B width of the rectangular steel tube;
CFST concrete-filled steel tube;
CHS circular hollow section;
D depth of the rectangular steel tube;
DIx ductility index about x-axis;
DIy ductility index about y-axis;
Ec Young’s modulus of concrete;
Es Young’s modulus of rectangular steel tube;
fcu compressive cube strength of concrete;
fy yield strength of steel;
fu ultimate strength of steel;
L length of the rectangular steel tube;
Mx available flexural strength about x-axis;
My available flexural strength about y-axis;
Nu ultimate axial compression bearing capacity;
As distinct from square and circular CFST columns, the flexural
strength of rectangular CFST columns is different along both of the
two symmetry axes. The aim of this paper is to study the behavior of
rectangular CFST columns subjected to combined compression and
bending (including uniaxial and biaxial bending). Seventeen eccen-
trically loading tests were carried out on rectangular CFST columns.
The results obtained from the testing, including the ultimate load,
maximum lateral and vertical displacement and strain develop-
ment of the steel tubes, were each, in turn, recorded and analyzed.
Furthermore, the strength index, ductility index and concrete con-
tribution ratio for the tested specimens were investigated. Finally,
based on the analysis of these test results, as well as test data drawn
from other literatures, a factor b was proposed to enhance the steel
strength so as to take account of the concrete contribution to the
resistance for the design strength for the rectangular CFST columns in
the ‘‘Technical specification for design of steel structure dwelling
houses in Tianjin’’ code (DB 29-57-2003).
2. Experimental study
2.1. General
A total of 17 RCFST stub columns tests were carried out at
Tianjin University to investigate the behavior of rectangular CFST
columns subjected to eccentric loads. All the test specimens were
classified into two groups—Group PYA and Group PYB. Specimens
in Group PYA were subjected to combined compression and uniaxial
bending about the strong axis, whilst specimens in Group PYB were
subjected to combined compression and biaxial bending. The inves-
tigated variables were selected accordingly: electricity, concrete
compressive strength, steel strength grade and cross-sectional pro-
portions. Table 1 provides details of the ranges of values covered. The
section labeling convention is shown in Fig. 1.
2.2. Fabrication of specimens
All specimens of the same size of steel tube were cut from the
same cold-formed rectangular steel tube. The concrete was vertically
cast into the steel tube in layers. Each layer was compacted using a
poker vibrator. All specimens were kept in an indoor environment
to cure.
Nu,e ultimate test resistance of concrete-filled rectangular
specimens;
Nu,hollow ultimate strength of the empty hollow steel member;
NEx Euler’s critical load about x-axis;
NEy Euler’s critical load about y-axis;
Wx net section resistance moment about x-axis;
Wy net section resistance moment about y-axis;
RHS rectangular hollow section;
SI strength index;
SHS square hollow section;
t wall thickness of the steel tube;
x constraining factor;
d specimen end shortening;
d85% axial deformation corresponding to the 85% of the
ultimate strength of CFST columns measured after the
ultimate strength was reached;
du axial deformation at the ultimate strength;
jx stability factor for compression about x-axis;
jy stability factor for compression about y-axis.
2.3. Material properties
The nominal tube thicknesses are 4 mm, 5 mm and 6 mm
respectively. The basic stress–strain characteristics of the rectan-
gular steel tubes were obtained by means of tensile coupon tests.
Coupons were machined from the complete sections of the wider-
width regions (see Fig. 1) and subsequently tested in accordance
with Code (GB/T 228-2002) [17]. The key results from the coupon
tests are summarized in Table 2.
Three different grades of commercial concrete strengths – C30,
C40, and C50 – were used in the test. Nine cubes (100 mm) of
each batch were cast for material testing [18], the concrete elastic
modulus and the average cubic strength (f cu ) at the testing time
are illustrated in Table 3.
2.4. Test set-up
All column tests were performed in a 5000 kN capacity testing
machine (see Fig. 2). Since the standard accessories of the testing
machine were unable to produce eccentric loading, knife edges
and ball edges were constructed which allowed the load from the
testing machine to be applied at given eccentricities to the speci-
men. More details about the bearing plates employed at both
ends of the specimens are shown in Fig. 3. The knife edges and ball
edges were employed at both the bottom and the top to enable
each Group PYA specimen and Group PYB specimen respectively to
simulate the required pin-pin boundary conditions.
For the specimens subjected to compression and uniaxial
bending, the axial shortening was captured by means of two linear
variable displacement transducers (LVDTs) positioned between the
end platens of the testing machine. While the lateral displacements
of specimens were measured by means of three LVDTs at the
locations of L/4, L/2 and 3L/4 mm respectively for the specimens
subjected to compression and biaxial bending, the axial shorte-
ning was captured by means of four linear variable displacement
transducers (LVDTs) positioned at each corner between the end
platens of the testing machine. Meanwhile the lateral displace-
ments of the specimens on the two perpendicular sides were
measured by means of two LVDTs at the locations of L/2 mm. All
the relevant details as to the measurement arrangement are shown
in Fig. 4.
Strain gauges were used to measure the axial longitudinal
strains and transverse strains at the different locations along the
 X. Qu et al. / Thin-Walled Structures 64 (2013) 83–93 85

Table 1
Measured geometric properties for tests specimens.

Specimen DBtL Concrete Steel grade x ex ey e

reference strength grade

PYA-1 150  100  4.065  700 C30 Q235b 1.704 10 0 10

PYA-2 150  100  4.065  800 C50 Q235b 1.007 15 0 15
PYA-3 150  100  4.065  900 C40 Q235b 1.278 20 0 20
PYA-4 200  150  4.433  700 C40 Q235b 0.78 20 0 20
PYA-5 200  150  4.433  800 C30 Q235b 1.04 30 0 30
PYA-6 200  150  4.433  900 C50 Q235b 0.614 40 0 40
PYA-7 300  200  5.730  800 C50 Q345b 0.781 50 0 50
PYA-8 300  200  5.730  900 C40 Q345b 0.992 60 0 60
PYA-9 300  200  5.730  1000 C30 Q345b 1.322 70 0 70
PYB-1 150  100  4.065  700 C30 Q235b 1.704 8.321 5.547 10
PYB-2 150  100  4.065  800 C50 Q235b 1.007 12.48 8.321 15
PYB-3 150  100  4.065  900 C40 Q235b 1.278 16.64 11.09 20
PYB-4 200  150  4.433  700 C40 Q235b 0.78 16 12 20
PYB-5 200  150  4.433  800 C30 Q235b 1.04 24 18 30
PYB-6 200  150  4.433  900 C50 Q235b 0.614 32 24 40
PYB-7 300  200  5.730  800 C50 Q345b 0.781 38.41 32.01 50
PYB-8 300  200  5.730  900 C40 Q345b 0.992 46.09 38.41 60

y Table 3
Flat coupon Concrete properties (Young’s modulus, compressive strength).

Concrete strength Young’s modulus Compressive strength

t grade Ec ðMPaÞ f cu ðMPaÞ
D

x x C30 26690 39
e ex C40 29380 52
ey C50 38070 66

y Weld beta edge (see Fig. 3(b) B) was positioned onto the alpha edge
B with the specific position of the knife edge being determined
by the required load eccentricity. The specimen was then subse-
Fig. 1. Section labeling convention and location of flat tensile coupons. quently placed on the bottom knife edge. And finally, to follow
that, the top knife edge was placed onto the top part of the
specimen. At the same time as this alignment actions were taken
Table 2 to ensure that the center points of the beta edges coincided with
Key material properties from tensile coupons tests the centers of the platens of the testing machine. A load interval
of less than one tenth of the estimated strength was used and the
Specimen Young’s modulus Yield stress Ultimate
load was applied in a monotonous way from the beginning of the
Es (MPa) fy (MPa) strength fu (MPa)
test to the point at which the load caused failure in the column
RHS150  100  4.065 212300 295 496 itself. From the point of the ultimate load onwards, the load was
RHS200  150  4.433 216800 242 410 applied in a downward trend. For each of these columns the
RHS300  200  5.730 216400 336 533 test observations would include observation of the failure load,
load–displacement response, and load–strain vibration at several
points along the steel tube.
steel tubes. For specimens with an unaxial eccentric loading,
two vertical strain gauges and two transverse strain gauges were
affixed to two perpendicular faces (wide face and narrow face
respectively) of the steel tube at mid-height to record strains. For 3. Experimental results
specimens subjected to biaxial eccentric loading, four vertical
strain gauges were affixed to each of the faces of the steel tube at 3.1. Failure mode
mid-height to record longitudinal strains and, in addition, two
transverse strain gauges: which were affixed to two perpendicu- All the specimens showed a favorable ductility performance.
lar faces of the steel tube at mid-height to record transverse For some specimens, slight local buckling can be found before the
strains. The locations of the strain gauges are shown in Fig. 4. load reached the point of the ultimate load. After the tests, it can
be found that all the specimens failed on account of cracking of
2.5. Test procedure the concrete in the tension zone and buckling of the steel in
the compression zone; with the typical failure mode being shown
Knife edges and ball edges were selected to be used for each in Fig. 5.
specimen in accordance with the pre-designed load. Taking test Because the tested columns were stub columns, the main
PYA-1 as an example, due to the designed eccentricity in Y-axis failure mode throughout these tests was a form of material failure.
being zero, knife edges were, as a result, selected for use. Prior to The overall buckling failure mode which normally will occur on
the test, the bottom alpha edge (see Fig. 3(a) A) was placed at the account of the columns being slender is not, in fact, found within
bottom platen of the testing machine. Then, in turn, the bottom the results of these tests.
86 X. Qu et al. / Thin-Walled Structures 64 (2013) 83–93
Fig. 2. Test set-up: (a) Group PYA with knife edges and (b) Group PYB with ball edges.
1 1 2 2
1-1
2-2
A (alpha edge) B (beta edge)
Fig. 3. Details of the bearing plate: (a) knife edges and (b) ball edges.
The different phenomenon observed respectively throughout
the course of the two Groups’ experiments does in fact represent
the local buckling distribution that exists throughout the length
of the cross-sections. For the specimens subjected to unaxial
bending (Group PYA), the local buckling could be found on three
faces (that is to say the compression narrow face and the two
adjacent wide faces). While, for specimens subjected to biaxial
bending, local buckling could only be found on the two compres-
sion faces. It should be noted that the corner of the steel tube for
specimen PYB-8 was cracked during the unloading stage. This
may be due to the concrete being crushed and expanded at the
corner and the constraining force from the steel tube to the core
concrete not being sufficient so as to resist the expanding of the
concrete. The consequence was that the steel tube was cracked
under the overall complicated force.
3.2. Load–end shortening responses
The longitudinal deflection of all specimens was recorded and
plotted against the applied load, taking the typical specimens
PYA-1 and PYB-1 for examples, as shown in Fig. 6. The relation-
ship between the load and the deflection was non-linear and was
3 3 4 4
3- 3 4- 4
A (alpha edge) B (beta edge)
characterized by an upwards trend leading to the ultimate
load followed by a slightly declining trend to the failure load. For
specimen PYB-1, the longitudinal deformations on the four faces
were quite different and the bigger longitudinal deformations were
found on the wide and narrow faces near to the point of applied
loading. It can be concluded as a result that all the specimens
showed a favorable ductility performance.
3.3. Load–transverse displacement responses
Fig. 7 shows the relationship between the applied load and
the transverse displacement for all the test specimens. Since the
specimens in Group PYB were subjected to biaxial bending, the
transverse displacement along the strong and the weak axes was
in each case recorded respectively. Instead of the expected ideal
figure being achieved, the biggest lateral transverse displacement
for each specimen was in fact not always found at the mid-height
position. The main reason may be that the test machine is an
axial testing machine and the eccentric load was added by means
of the knife or ball edges. In most cases the rotation angle of the
specimen is determined simultaneously by a combination of three
factors: the available rotation angle of the edges, the slenderness
 X. Qu et al. / Thin-Walled Structures 64 (2013) 83–93 87

LDVT8 LDVT6
LDVT3
LDVT1

LDVT7 Strain
Strain
LDVT4 gauge 6 LDVT10
Strain gauge1
gauge2 Strain
Strain Strain
Strain
gauge7 gauge 5
gauge3
gauge4 Strain Strain
gauge 10 gauge 9
LDVT5 LDVT11

N LDVT9 Strain gauge 8

LDVT2
Strain gauge 1,3 Strain gauge 7 LDVT6
0 y
W E

LDVT10
x LDVT3,4,5 LDVT8

LDVT11 Strain gauge 5,9

S Strain gauge 2,4 LDVT1
Strain gauge 6,10
LDVT7

Fig. 4. Details of the measurement arrangement.

of the specimen and the value of the eccentric load. Moreover, the
available rotation angle of the edges is determined not only by the
designated angle but also by the total weight of the specimen.
Another way to say this is that if the specimen has a smaller
slenderness ratio while possessing a large weight: then, when it
is subjected to an eccentric load using such experimental equip-
ment, the beta edge and the alpha edge may contact each
other very quickly if the available rotation angle is insufficient.
As a consequence the specimen’s rotation would of course be
restrained.
The ultimate loads and the corresponding maximum recorded
lateral displacements for each specimen are reported in Table 4.
Meanwhile these lateral displacements were to be used for
calculating the maximum bending moments within the columns’
lengths.
Within the category of specimens of Group PYB, each speci-
men was subjected to biaxial loading. The longitudinal strains
in the compression sides (strain gauge (5) and (6)) were higher
than the yield strain itself with exceptions supplied by specimens
PYB-4, 5, 6. As shown in Fig. 8(e) and (f), and, again with the excep-
tion of the specimens PYB-1, 2, 3, the tension sides of the specimens
were experiencing compression but that level of compression fell
within the elastic range available at the point of failure load. For the
transverse strains, and at the point before the loading reached the
point of failure load, the transverse strains were essentially within
the elastic range as applied to all specimens.
4. Performance indices

3.4. Load–strain responses 4.1. Strength index (SI)

Figs. 8 and 9 give complete illustrations as to the load–strain
variations of all the tested columns. The common feature of these
curves is that variation is non-linear and that the yield strains of
the compressed side were reached at the point of failure and were
exceeded in the post-failure stage. The calculated yield strain for
the three steel tubes (RHS150  100  4.065, RHS200  150  4.433
and RHS300  200  5.730) were 1390, 1116 and 1553 respec-
tively. As shown in Fig. 8, for specimens of Group PYA the long-
itudinal strains in the compression side were observed to be higher
than the calculated steel yield strains. The strains at the mid-depth
of the cross-section (strain gauge (2)) were also once again higher
than the calculated yield strength. This indicates that the steel
section from the compressed side to the point of mid-depth within
the cross-section had yielded before the point of load failure for
specimens in Group PYA.
Strength index can be taken as an important parameter to
determine the behavior of specimens subjected to the designed
load. Therefore the SI, with the same definition as described in
Section 5, was adopted to investigate the influence of both the
confinement factor and the eccentricity ratio in relation to the
strength index.
Fig. 10(a) and (b) shows that the strength index increases with
an increase in the confinement index: and especially in the case of
specimens subjected to biaxial bending. Furthermore the ultimate
bearing capacity for the specimen experiencing an eccentric load
applied to its major and minor axes is to be determined by means
of the bending resistance capacity of the minor axis. As such it can
be concluded that specimens with possessing a higher confine-
ment factor have a higher bearing capacity and therefore ability
to resist the pressure of eccentric loading. Moreover Fig. 11(a)–(c)
88 X. Qu et al. / Thin-Walled Structures 64 (2013) 83–93

Fig. 5. Typical failure modes of tested columns: (a) PYA-1 and (b) PYB-8.

1200
1000

1000
800
800
N (kN)N)

600
N (kN)

600

400 400 W
S
E
N
200 200 S
N
0
0 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
z (mm) z (mm)

Fig. 6. Load–vertical deflection relationships of columns: (a) PYA-1 and (b) PYB-1
 X. Qu et al. / Thin-Walled Structures 64 (2013) 83–93 89

Table 4
4000 Test results

3500 PYA-1 Specimen (du)x (du)y SI DI CCR Nu,e Nu,hollow

reference
3000 PYA-2
PYA-3 PYA-1 3.15 – 0.81 1.33 0.85 750 884
2500 PYA-2 2.955 – 1.01 2.89 1.3 1040 803
PYA-4
N (kN)

PYA-3 5.435 – 0.7 1.67 1.02 810 795

2000
PYA-5 PYA-4 1.29 – 0.91 3.88 1.64 1750 1069
1500 PYA-5 4.34 – 0.97 2.51 1.43 1400 978
PYA-6 PYA-6 6.02 – 0.75 1.54 1.41 1250 884
1000 PYA-7 PYA-7 4.735 – 0.91 2.91 1.53 3450 2250
PYA-8 12.68 – 0.62 1.42 1.22 2650 2170
500 PYA-8 PYA-9 2.99 – 0.74 2.37 1.22 2445 2009
PYA-9 PYB-1 2.3 3.86 1.06 1.55 1.11 980 884
0 PYB-2 5.787 5.224 0.92 1.4 1.24 950 766
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
PYB-3 3.33 8.9 0.85 1.31 1.23 980 795
δx(mm) PYB-4 3.048 4.981 0.68 2.46 1.31 1300 993
PYB-5 1.17 3.497 0.9 3.72 1.31 1300 992
PYB-6 4.45 2.852 0.96 3.22 1.75 1600 914
3000 PYB-7 3.765 8.579 0.69 4.63 1.14 2600 2284
PYB-8 7.67 4.008 0.6 0.56 1.18 2550 2152
2500 PYB-1
PYB-2
2000 PYB-3 runs in parallel to the weak axis is also significant and as such cannot
be ignored. Therefore, the DIx and DIy are determined herein by
PYB-4
N (kN)

1500
PYB-5 ðd85% Þx
DIx ¼ ð1Þ
1000 PYB-6 ðdu Þx
PYB-7
ðd85% Þy
500 PYB-8 DIy ¼ ð2Þ
ðdu Þy
0 where (d85%)x is the mid-height lateral deformation to the major axis
0 5 10 15 20
corresponding directly to the 85% of the ultimate strength of the CFST
δx(mm)
columns as measured after the ultimate strength point.
3000 (du)x is the mid-height lateral deformation to the major axis at
the point where the load reaches its point of application of the
2500 PYB-1 ultimate load.
PYB-2 (d85%)y is the mid-height lateral deformation to the minor axis
2000 PYB-3 corresponding directly to 85% of the ultimate strength of the CFST
columns measured after the ultimate strength.
PYB-4
N (kN)

1500 (du)y is the mid-height lateral deformation to the minor axis at

1000
500
0 can be explained by the fact that the confinement factor represents
0 5 10 15 20
δy(mm)
Fig. 7. Load–lateral deflection relationships of columns: (a) Group PYA, (b) Group
PYB and (c) Group PYB.
further indicates that the strength index decreases with the eccentric
ratio (ex/D, ey/B).
4.2. Ductility index (DI)
Compared to the steel and reinforced concrete structures, the
composite structure shows more favorable ductility. The concept
of a ductility index (DI) is adopted to study the behavior of test
specimens subjected to combined compression and bending.
It is defined as the ratio between the lateral displacement at
mid-height that corresponds to 85% of the ultimate strength
of CFST columns, measured after the ultimate strength has been
reached, and the displacement from the maximum load. Due to
the eccentricity load not being exclusively applied to the strong axis
for specimens PYB-1–8, the lateral deflection on the wide face that
PYB-5
the point where the load reaches application of its ultimate load.
PYB-6 Fig. 12(a)–(c) shows the relationship between the DI and the
PYB-7 constraining factor. It is apparent that the ductility of the test
PYB-8 specimens decreases with the increase in size of the constraining
factor; and especially this is so for the Group PYB specimens. This
the ability of the steel tube itself to constrain the infilled concrete.
Furthermore specimens with a higher confinement factor may
have higher strength and performance in relation to their ability to
resist deformation.
Fig. 13(a)–(c) shows the tendency of the DI to change in
response to changes in the eccentric ratio. It appears that the
DIx decreases with an increase in the eccentric ratio (ex/D) for the
specimen when subjected to a combined circumstance of com-
pression and uniaxial bending. Meanwhile for specimens sub-
jected to combined compression and biaxial bending, the DIx and
DIy increases along with the increase in the eccentric ratio (ex/D
and ey/B respectively). The dissimilar results may be as a con-
sequence of the designated variations of the tested specimens
being multitudinous and, in addition, the specimens used in each
figure possessing different parameters in terms of their concrete
strength, steel strength and cross-sectional dimensions. In con-
trast to what has been observed in relation to the constraining
factors, the eccentric ratio is not a wholly typical parameter
and it is not appropriate for use in providing descriptions of
geometric and material information beyond what is already found
in relation to the specimen.
90 X. Qu et al. / Thin-Walled Structures 64 (2013) 83–93

4000 4000
3500 3500
PYA-7 PYA-7
3000 3000
PYA-8 PYA-9 PYA-8 PYA-9

Load N (kN)
Load N (kN)
2500 2500
2000 2000
PYA-4
1500 PYA-4 1500 PYA-3 PYA-5
1000 PYA-5 1000
PYA-2
500 PYA-3 500
PYA-1 PYA-2
0 0 PYA-1
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000
Longitudinal strain in steel ε (με) Longitudinal strain insteel ε (με)

3000 3000

2500 PYB-7 2500

PYB-8 PYB-7
2000 PYB-5 2000
Load N (kN)

Load N (kN)
PYB-8
PYB-6
1500 1500
PYB-4
PYB-4
1000 PYB-3 PYB-6 1000 PYB-5

500 500
PYB-2 PYB-1 PYB-2
PYB-1
0 0 PYB3-
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000
Longitudinal strain in steel ε (με) Longitudinal strain in steel ε (με)

3000 3000

PYB-8
2500 2500
PYB-9 PYB-7
2000 2000 PYB-8
Load N (kN)

Load N(kN)

PYB-7
1500 1500 PYB-6 PYB-5
PYB-4 PYB-1 PYB-4
1000 1000
PYB-5
PYB-3 PYB-3
500 500

PYB-2 PYB-1
0 0 PYB-2
-500 0 500 1000 1500 2000 -500 0 500 1000 1500 2000
Longitudina lstrain in steel ε (με) Longitudinal strainin steel ε (με)

Fig. 8. load–longitudinal strain variations of columns: (a) strain gauge (1), (b) strain gauge (2), (c) strain gauge (5), (d) strain gauge (6), (e) strain gauge (7) and (f) strain
gauge (8).

4.3. Concrete contribution ratio (CCR) illustrate the infilled concrete contribution to the improvement in
the bare steel columns themselves:
As we know, within the current design code there is a conflict in Nu,e
relation to the determination of the concrete contribution to the CCR ¼ ð3Þ
Nu,hollow
flexural strength of composite structures. One of the objectives of this
section is to determine the concrete contribution as compared to the
bearing capacity of rectangular CFST columns subjected to eccentric 5. Discussion for the cross-sectional resistance
loading. In the event there is a lack of experimental value with regard
to the empty steel tube, the behavior of the relative rectangular In China, some provinces have their own design codes to assist
hollow section (RHS) under the same eccentric loading pressure is to building design, an illustrative example being the ‘‘technical speci-
be obtained by means of a numerical simulation model. Here, in this fication for design of steel structure dwelling houses in Tianjin’’. For
instance, the ANSYS FEM software was used to establish the RHS this code the design resistance of square and rectangular CFST
models. The numerical model of RHS150  100  4.065  700 is columns for combined compression and bending is determined as
shown in Fig. 14 as an example. The ultimate bearing capacities of follows:
the RHSs (numerical data) and the relative rectangular CFST columns
(experimental data) are both shown in Table 4. The concrete (1) The design resistance strength for the CFST columns should
contribution ratio (CCR), which is defined as the ratio between the satisfy:
ultimate strength of the composite column and the empty hollow
steel member, is adopted within the confines of this paper to N r Nc þ Ns ð4Þ
 X. Qu et al. / Thin-Walled Structures 64 (2013) 83–93 91

4000 4000

3500 PYA-7 3500 PYA-7

3000 3000 PYA-8

Load N (kN)
PYA-8
2500 PYA-9 2500 PYA-9

Load N (kN)
PYA-4
2000 2000
PYA-4
1500 PYA-5 1500
PYA-5 PYA-2
1000 PYA-1 1000
PYA-2
500 500
PYA-3
0 0 PYA-3 PYA-1
0 500 1000 1500 2000 0 500 1000
Transverse strain in steel ε ( ε) Transversestrain in steel ε ( ε)

3000 3000

PYB-7
2500 PYB-8 2500 PYB-8

2000 2000
Load N (kN)

Load N (kN)
PYB-6
1500 PYB-5 PYB-7 1500 PYB-4
PYB-6
1000 1000
PYB-3

500 500 PYB-3

PYB-2
PYB-1 PYB-1
0 PYB-4 0 PYB-2
0 300 600 900 1200 1500 0 200 400 600 800 1000
Transversestrain in steel ε ( ε) Transverse strain in steel ε ( ε)

Fig. 9. load–transverse strain variations of columns: (a) strain gauge (3), (b) strain gauge (4), (c) strain gauge (9) and (d) strain gauge (10).

1.2 1.2

1.1 1.1

1.0
1.0
0.9
0.9
SI

SI

0.8
0.8
0.7

0.7 0.6

0.6 0.5
0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 0.3 0.6 0.9 1.2 1.5 1.8
Constraining factor (ξ) ConsConstraining factor (ξ)

Fig. 10. SI versus x relations: (a) Group PYA and (b) Group PYB.

1.1
1.1 1.1
1.0
1.0 1.0

0.9 0.9 0.9

SI
SI

SI

0.8 0.8 0.8

0.7 0.7
0.7
0.6 0.6
0.6
0.08 0.12 0.16 0.20 0.24 0.04 0.06 0.08 00.1 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.10 0.12 0.14
ex/D ex/D ey/B

Fig. 11. SI versus ex/D and ey/B relations: (a) Group PYA, (b) Group PYB and (c) Group PYB.
92 X. Qu et al. / Thin-Walled Structures 64 (2013) 83–93

4.5 5
4.0 4
4
3.5
3 3
3.0

DIy
DIx
DIx

2.5 2 2
2.0
1
1.5 1
1.0 0
0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8
Constraining factor (ξ) Constraining factor (ξ) Constraining factor (ξ)

Fig. 12. DI versus x relations: (a) Group PYA, (b) Group PYB and (c) Group PYB.

5
4.0
4
3.5 4

3.0 3 3
DIx

DIy
DIx

2.5
2
2.0 2
1
1.5

1.0 0 1
0.08 0.12 0.16 0.20 0.24 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.10 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.10 0.14 0.12
ex/D ex/D ey/B

Fig. 13. DI versus ex/D and ey/B relations: (a) Group PYA, (b) Group PYB and (c) Group PYB.

2.0 2.0
Test data Test data
Average value Average value
1.8

1.5
1.6
CCR
CCR

1.4
1.0

1.2

0.5 1.0
35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70
fcu(N/mm ) 2 fcu(N/mm2)

Fig. 14. CCR versus x relations: (a) Group PYA and (b) Group PYB.

Ns Mx My Ns My 0:7M x
þ þ rf y ð5Þ þ þ rf y ð9Þ
As W x W y jy As W y ð10:8ðN=NEy ÞÞ Wx
where N is the required axial compressive strength; where jx is stability factor for compression about x-axis; jy
Nc is the design value of the concrete axial compressive strength, is stability factor for compression about y-axis; NEx is Euler’s
N c ¼ Ac f c ; critical load about x-axis; NEy is Euler’s critical load about y-axis;
Ns is the design value of the steel axial compressive strength; it Wx is net section resistance moment about x-axis; Wy is net
is equal to the remained of the value of N Nc; section resistance moment about y-axis; Mx is available flexural
(2) when the specimen is subjected to combined axial compression strength about x-axis; My is available flexural strength about
plus flexure the required axial compressive strength and the y-axis.
required flexural strength should satisfy the following equations:
It is not difficult to notice the fact that the concrete
N r jx ðN c þ Ns Þ ð6Þ contribution to the flexural resistance is not mentioned in this
above set of equations; and thus, as a result, these methods for
computation of the resistance level will always be to some
N r jy ðN c þ Ns Þ ð7Þ extent conservative. Furthermore, the axial load is, subject to
this method, shared with the concrete first of all; but, in fact,
Ns Mx 0:7M y the axial load should be shared between the steel and the
þ þ rf y ð8Þ
jx As W x ð10:8ðN=NEx ÞÞ Wy concrete simultaneously.
 X. Qu et al. / Thin-Walled Structures 64 (2013) 83–93
4000
N test
3000 N pre
N (kN)
2000
1000
0 Group for the GB50017-2003 Structural Steel Design Code for their
10 20 30 40 50
Specimen numbers
Fig. 15. Comparisons between test results and predicted value.
One of the objectives of this research is to improve the
methodological equation so as to gain a more accurate predictive
understanding in relation to the actual value of the design.
Within the confines of this thesis, and based on the analysis of
these test results, as well as test data drawn from other literatures
[14,19], a factor ‘‘b’’ was proposed to enhance the yield strength
of the steel to take account of the concrete contribution’s as it
impacts on the prevention of any steel local buckling effect. What
this essentially means is that the fy in the above equations can be
substituted bybf y . In this way, the modified equation can provide
improved understanding and a more accurate predictive ability of
the value:
sffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi!
235
b ¼ 0:009401  f cu þ 1:1186  0:35207 ð10Þ
fy
The predicted results, making use of the above discussing
method, and the test results are shown in Fig. 15; and it can be
seen that the modified equation provides a good prediction of the
specimens’ resistance to the test loading. The average value for
the Npre/Ntest is 0.9.
6. Conclusions
The aim of this section is to investigate the response of
rectangular CFST columns subjected to eccentric loading. A total
of 17 stub columns of varying steel strength grades, steel tube
geometric properties, eccentricities and infill concrete strengths
were tested. The results, together with the supporting material
and geometric properties, have been produced. The load–vertical
displacement and load–lateral deflection and the strains at certain
key points were both recorded and analyzed. The relationship
between the strength index and ductility, subject to the constrain-
ing factors, as well as the eccentricity ratio, were also studied.
Generally, for all specimens, the strength index increases alongside
the increase in x and the ductility index decreases with the increase
of x; while the strength index decreases with the eccentricity ratio.
However, the influence of the eccentricity ratio to the ductility
index was not regular. Furthermore the concrete contribution ratio
93
to the flexure resistance also required some investigation. By means
of the numerical simulation on the RHS columns, the concrete
contribution ratio increased commensurate with the increase of the
concrete strength. Finally, based on the analysis of the design
strength for the rectangular CFST columns of the ‘‘technical speci-
fication for design of steel structure dwelling houses in Tianjin’’
code, a factor b was proposed to enhance the steel strength to take
account the concrete contribution tothe resistance. This modified
equation can provide an improved understanding and a more
accurate predicted value.
Acknowledgments
The authors are grateful to the China Standard Management
special composite structure research funding (GB 5000172010-04),
and would like to thank the Taian Kenuo profile steel stock company
limited for the supply of test specimens and Butler (Tianjin) Inc. for
their help with this project and research students in the steel
research group of Tianjin University for their assistance with the
laboratory work.
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