Abstract
A wide range of experimental data and associated analysis results are used to examine the applicability of two widely used design codes (i.e. BS5400 and EC4) for calculating the capacity of concrete-filled steel tubular columns (CFSTs). The database consists of the measured results from past studies. The specimens include short and slender CFSTs made with normal- and high-strength steel tubes filled with normal- and high-strength concrete. To gauge the success of the code-based methods, the capacities are computed based on fiber analysis technique. The capacities are also computed through 3D nonlinear finite-element analysis. In addition to inherent differences between BS5400 and EC4, the reported study points to potentially large differences between the capacities as computed from these two methods. However, the capacities from EC4 and detail analytical results are generally closer. Neither design method appears to be appropriate for CFSTs made with high-strength steel tubes. A finite-element method based on full plasticity of the steel tube and material and geometrical nolinearity tends to produce significantly improved results for such cases.
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