“Behaviour of Double Skin Tubular UPVC
Compression Members”
Mayank Mehandiratta
Phd Research Scholar
Department of Civil Engineering
Rajasthan Technical University
Kota,Rajasthan, India
mehandirattamayank@gmail.com
Abstract—Concrete filled tubes offer passive
confinement. In recent years, some investigations are
reported for double skin compression members. But
most of these have been with steel tubes. The study
reported in this paper presents experimental work on
double skin tubular column (DSTC) with UPVC tubes –
both as inner and outer skin. DSTC specimens with H/D
ratio of 3 and external diameter of 90 mm and 75 mm
were casted with 30 mm UPVC tube as inner diameter
with thickness of each tube as 3 mm. Two types of DSTC
specimens were studied, one with hollow inner core and
another with solid. Single skin tubular specimens were
casted for comparing behavior of single and double skin.
The matrix has been taken as self compacting concrete
(SCC), as it contained high volume of fly-ash, so
compressive strength behavior of the matrix as well as
the tubular specimens beyond 28 day age was also
investigated. Comparisons of test results with
EUROCODE 4, ACI, Australian code, and the
evaluation of energy absorption capacity and
confinement parameters were presented.
Keywords: -Self compacting concrete, Double & Single skin
tubular column, Concrete filled tubes.
I. INTRODUCTION
During earthquakes the failure in columns may occur due to
poor or improper confinements in India and some other
countries. The main parameters involved in the confinement
are the ratio of transverse reinforcement i.e. the ratio of
volume of hoops to the volume of confined core of the
member, the yield strength of transverse reinforcement, the
compressive strength of concrete, the spacing of hoops, the
longitudinal reinforcement and hoop pattern.
In UPVC tube encased concrete, the tube has several roles
including preventing any moisture loss necessary for the
setting and hydration of fresh concrete, eliminating the time
consuming and costly curing process, protecting concrete
from thermal changes, and making column impermeable by
closing the surface pores, in addition to confining concrete
core and displaying considerable plastic deformation. As a
permanent form-work for fresh concrete, the tube can confer
a protective cover to concrete, preventing the cover spalling,
in substructures in contact with soil (pile), marine
environment (bridge columns and piers); and in several light
structural applications and constructions, such as houses,
residential, agricultural and industrial buildings.
XXX-X-XXXX-XXXX-X/XX/$XX.00 ©20XX IEEE
Prof.(Dr.) Praveen Kumar Agarwal
Department of Civil Engineering
Rajasthan Technical University
Kota,Rajasthan, India
pkagrawal@rtu.ac.in
There has been several research conducted on Concrete
Filled Tubes (CFT) considering their behavior under axial
loading and both axial and bending too by using Un-
plasticized Poly Vinyl Chloride (UPVC) tubes as
confinement while a little work is done on using Double
skinned confinement with the use of UPVC tubes as a
confinement material.
A. Concrete filled UPVC tubes
UPVC is picking up as the choice of the building industry as
a low-maintenance and relatively low cost building material.
PVC and UPVC are mostly made of the same material.
Polyvinylchloride is a polymer that can be heated and
moulded to create very hard, strong compounds such as
piping. Because of its rigid properties once it's formed,
manufacturers frequently blend additional plasticizing
polymers into PVC. These polymers make PVC pipe more
bendable and, generally, easier to work with than if it
remains un-plasticized. Those plasticizing agents are left out
when UPVC is manufactured the name is short for un-
plasticized polyvinylchloride which is nearly as rigid as cast
iron pipe. Bureau of Indian standards IS 4985: 2000 defines
the design specifications for the PVC pipes.
UPVC pipes are readily available in market and it is cheaper
than steel tubes and also provides durability, reliability and
integrity of the housing/building. These tubes can be used as
formwork during construction and their after as an integral
part of column.
Pramod Kumar Gupta reported that the ductility ratio
decreases with increase in grade of concrete due to the
brittleness of core concrete. The energy absorption E
increases with increase of concrete strength. Energy
absorption calculated by (in Joules) finding the area under
the load compression curve upto different load levels [9].
B. Concrete filled Double Skin Tubular Columns (DSTC)
The construction of structural members using Concrete and
Steel combined as composite material is quite familiar over
the decades. The steel concrete composite columns are
adopted in various cross sectional forms. Initially concrete
filled tubes of square, circular and rectangular steel tubes
known as CFT columns were used. Then, two tubes of same
or different cross sectional shapes were concentrically
placed and their annular space is in-filled with concrete.
Such types of sections are called Double Skinned Tubular
columns (DSTC).
Kalil studied Potentials of practical application of
Composite double skinned sheets with respect to BS 5400.
[4]. Elchalakani reported that at ultimate stage, there were
no strain gauge measurements of steel and concrete, it is
possible that cracking of concrete allowed further buckling
and at the end of elastic stage, the bond loss between steel
and concrete is expected. [1]. According to Kim et. al 4,
contribution of inner tube to the ultimate compression is
negligible. [5]. Mohanraj and Kandasamy studied the effect
of various infill materials in CFT columns. [7].
To judge the confinement effect of UPVC tube constraining
factor ‘α’ was applied and defined as (Golla R 2012) [3]
Where,
Ap & fpy are the cross sectional area & yield stress of UPVC
tube and
Ac & fck are the cross sectional area & compressive strength
of core concrete respectively.
Eurocode4 guides for the design of composite columns with
concrete encased, partially encased steel sections and
concrete in-filled tubular sections with and without
reinforcement. In this code, long-term loading the effect is
considered separately and the partial safety factors for load
and materials are adopted to ensure service ability and
safety conditions. The ultimate axial compressive load is
given by the code, [2]:
Where,
Ep = Elasticity modulus of UPVC
Ec = Elasticity modulus of Concrete mix
Ip = Moment of Inertia of UPVC tube
Ic = Moment of Inertia of concrete
Ecm = Secant Modulus for concrete mix (As per EC2)
ᵞc = 1.35 (As per EC2)
Aa, Ac, Ap, : Area of -outer UPVC tube, in-filled concrete
and inner UPVC tube respectively
Dpo, Dpi : Diameter of outer and inner tube of outer steel tube
fck : Characteristics cube compressive strength of concrete
fc : Cylinder compressive strength of concrete (0.8fcc)
fcc : Cube compressive strength (28 days)
fy : Yield strength of UPVC;
n1,n2: Confinement coefficients.
NEC4 : Ultimate strength of the DSTC as per EC4
Nue : Experimental Ultimate strength
t: Thickness of steel tube;
tc : Thickness of sandwiched concrete.
tpc : Thickness of composite column (= Dpo+ tc)
L : Effective length of a column
λ: Relative slenderness as per EC4
N. Balasubramani and R. Thenmozhi tested Six Double skin
hollow concrete filled steel tubular columns (DSHCFT)
consisting of UPVC inner and Mild steel outer pipes in
filled with Self Compacting Concrete (SCC). The grade of
SCC and the yield strength of steel tube used were M35 and
250Mpa respectively. The columns were tested for axial
load and load deflection [8].
ACI & AS code has specified the formula for Ultimate axial
compressive load for composite material [6]:
Mimoh Gaikwad & Shrirang tande analysed loading
capacity of concrete filled steel tubular column using non
linear finite element analysis and compared results with
experimental results and as well as theoretical results
obtained from ACI & AS code guidelines for composite
material using above formula [6].
II. EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAMME
A. Materials
The Ordinary Portland Cement of 43 Grade conforming to
IS: 8112 - 1989 was used for the present experimental study.
Specific gravity of cement is 3.15. Natural river sand was
used and tested as per IS: 2386 - 1983. Specific gravity of
fine aggregate is found to be 2.60, Fineness modulus is
found to be 2.85. Crushed rock coarse aggregate of size 10
mm was used and tested as per IS 2386-1983. Specific
gravity coarse aggregate was found to be 2.74.
Ultra fine calcium carbonate was obtained from M/S 20
Micron Limited, Vadodara. The average particle size D (50)
was 0.867 µ (as per the manufacturer). Specific gravity of
ultra fine calcium carbonate is 2.38 (as per the
manufacturer). Super plasticizer (Glenium B233) was used
@ 0.7% of weight of cement.
Basic properties of UPVC tubes are shown in Table 2.1
TABLE 2.1 MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF UPVC TUBES
Value Properties
Density 1.1–1.35
Elastic modulus 3.2 x 10 Kg/cm2
Ultimate tensile strength 500 Kg/cm²
Breaking elongation 153% (tested by UTM at RTUK)
Service life >50 years
Thickness 3 mm
B. Specimens
In this study, total 72 specimens were casted. All the
specimens were casted with H/D ratio as 3. Table 2.2 shows
the details of specimens casted
 TABLE 2.2 DETAILS OF SPECIMENS TABLE 3.1: ULTIMATE LOAD AND DISPLACEMENT OF SSTC AT 28
Specimen Outer Dia. Inner Dia. H/D Height DAYS AGE.
(mm) (mm) Ratio (mm) Specime Dia. H/D Height NEXP. Δ α
DSH1A 90 30 3 270 n (mm) Ratio (mm) (KN) (mm)
DSS1A 90 30 3 270 SS1A 90 3 270 88.3 5 0.061
DSH2A 75 30 3 225 SS2A 75 3 225 76.1 6 0.077
DSS2A 75 30 3 225 SS3A 50 3 150 54.3 4 0.116
SS4A 30 3 90 41.2 3 0.206
DSH1B 90 30 3 270
DSS1B 90 30 3 270
DSH2B 75 30 3 225 B. Test results of SSTC with 3mm thick UPVC at 42 days
DSS2B 75 30 3 225
Table 3.2 presents the load and displacement value as
SS1A 90 ….. 3 270
obtained by the CTM for specimens. Confinement
SS2A 75 ….. 3 225
parameter ‘α’ of each specimen is also shown.
SS3A 50 ….. 3 150
SS4A 30 ….. 3 90
TABLE 3.2 ULTIMATE LOAD AND DISPLACEMENT OF SSTC AT 42
SS1B 90 ….. 3 270
SS2B 75 ….. 3 225 DAYS AGE
SS3B 50 ….. 3 150 Specime Dia. H/D Height NEXP. Δ α
SS4B 30 ….. 3 90 n (mm) Ratio (mm) (KN) (mm)
SS1B 90 3 270 91.2 8 0.056
SS2B 75 3 225 80.3 9 0.072
Here ‘DSH’ represents for Double skin hollow , ‘DSS’ SS3B 50 3 150 57.4 5 0.109
SS4B 30 3 90 45.8 4 0.198
represents for Double skin solid , ‘SS’ represents for Single
skin . ‘A’ represents for specimen tested at the age of 28 C. Test results of DSTC (Hollow & Solid) at 28 days
days & ‘B’ represents for specimen tested at the age of 42 Table 3.3 Presents the load and displacement value as
days. obtained experimentally in the study for specimens.
Confinement parameter ‘α’ of each specimen is calculated at
C. TEST SETUP 28 days.

TABLE 3.3 TEST RESULTS OF DSTC (HOLLOW & SOLID) AT 28

 Tests on fresh concrete
The following tests were conducted on concrete to check the DAYS.
self compact ability. Specimen Outer Inner H/D Height NEXP. Δ α
Dia. Dia. Ratio (mm) (KN) (mm)
● Slump flow test (mm) (mm)
● U-Box test DSH1A 90 30 3 270 80.1 8 0.069
● GTM Screen Stability test DSS1A 90 30 3 270 82.5 9 0.069
DSH2A 75 30 3 225 67.2 7 0.093
DSS2A 75 30 3 225 67.8 7 0.093
 Test on hardened concrete
All materials and strength of samples were tested at D. Test results of DSTC (Hollow & Solid) at 42 days
materials testing lab of RTU. Test was performed as per IS Table 3.4 Presents the load and displacement value as
516:1959 to find out the compressive strength of concrete obtained experimentally in the study for specimens.
after 28 days and 42 days curing of concrete. At the time of Confinement parameter ‘α’ of each specimen is calculated at
testing, specimen removed from curing, surface water was 42 days.
wiped off by the cloth and any projecting fines removed.
In this study, minimum three specimens were tested at each TABLE 3.4 TEST RESULTS OF DSTC (HOLLOW & SOLID) AT 42
selected age. The tests for compressive strength of cube DAYS
specimens, unconfined and confined compression members,
Specimen Outer Inner H/D Height NEXP. Δ α
all were performed on a CTM (Compression Testing Dia. Dia. Ratio (mm) (KN) (mm)
Machine) of capacity 1000 KN. The loading was applied (mm) (mm)
continuously without a jerk load. Displacements were DSH1B 90 30 3 270 91.4 11 0.064
DSS1B 90 30 3 270 93.1 13 0.064
measured continuously by dial gauge positioned at the DSH2B 75 30 3 225 71.8 10 0.087
bottom platen of CTM. DSS2B 75 30 3 225 74.9 8.5 0.087

III. TEST RESULTS
A. Test results of SSTC with 3mm thick UPVC at 28 days
Table 3.1 Presents the load and displacement values as
obtained by the CTM for specimens. Confinement
parameter ‘α’ of each specimen, as calculated is also shown.
E. Comparison of test results with EC4 theoretical results
for SSTC
Table 3.5 shows the load values of Experimental results and
values of load calculated through EC4 considerations of
SSTC at both 28 and 42 days age, and also the ratio of
experimental and theoretical values.
TABLE 3.5 EXPERIMENTAL VALUES AND EUROCODE4 VALUES From Figure 3.2 it is observed that ACI & AS Code formula
for composite material is not showing better results than that
Specim Dia. H/D Height NEXP. NEC4 NEXP. of experimental results for example specimen named SS1A
en (mm) Ratio (mm) (kN) (kN) /NEC4 (i.e. 90mm dia. specimen results @28 days) is showing
SS1A 90 3 270 88.3 94.18 0.94 approximately 24.3% decrease in Ultimate Load while
SS2A 75 3 225 76.1 81.3 0.94
calculating the values with the help of ACI & AS Code,
SS3A 50 3 150 54.3 62.76 0.87
Similarly for SS2A, SS3A, SS4A, SS1B, SS2B, SS3B &
SS4A 30 3 90 41.2 46.89 0.88
SS4B 22%,8.65%,,3.23%,24%,,23.6%,10.8%,& 8%
SS1B 90 3 270 91.2 97.01 0.94
SS2B 75 3 225 80.3 83.59 0.96
decrement found in Ultimate load respectively with the help
SS3B 50 3 150 57.4 64.78 0.89
of ACI & AS Code.
SS4B 30 3 90 45.8 49.5 0.93

From Figure 3.1, it is observed that Eurocode4 formula for

composite material is showing better results than that of
experimental results. For example, specimen named SS1A
(i.e. 90mm dia. specimen results @28 days) is showing
approximately 6.7% increase in Ultimate Load while
calculating the values with the help of EC4 similarly for
SS2A, SS3A, SS4A, SS1B, SS2B, SS3B &SS4B
6.8%,15.5%, 13.81%,6.38%,4.10%,12.8%,8.10% increment
found in Ultimate load respectively with the help of EC4.

Fig. 3.2 Variation of Experimental results with ACI & AS code

G. Comparison of test results with EC4 theoretical results

for DSTC

Table 3.7 shows the load values of experimental results and

values of load calculated through Eurocode4 considerations
of DSTC Hollow and DSTC Solid at both 28 and 42 days
age, Also the ratio of experimental and theoretical values.

Table 3.7 EXPERIMENTAL VALUES & EUROCODE4 VALUES

Fig. 3.1 Variation of Experimental and Eurocode4 results in SSTC Specim Outer Inner H/D Heig NEXP. NEC4 NEXP.
en Dia Dia Ratio ht (kN) (kN) /NEC4
(mm) (mm) (mm)
F. Comparison of test results with ACI & AS code for DSH1A 90 30 3 270 80.1 90.68 0.91
DSS1A 90 30 3 270 82.5 93.64 0.86
SSTC DSH2A 75 30 3 225 67.2 77.21 0.88
DSS2A 75 30 3 225 67.8 80.54 0.83
Table 3.6 shows the load values of Experimental results and DSH1B 90 30 3 270 91.4 93.52 0.996
DSS1B 90 30 3 270 93.1 96.51 0.95
values of load calculated through ACI & AS code DSH2B 75 30 3 225 71.8 79.49 0.94
considerations of SSTC at both 28 and 42 days age, and DSS2B 75 30 3 225 74.9 82.75 0.87
also, the ratio of experimental and theoretical values.
TABLE 3.6 EXPERIMENTAL VALUES AND ACI & CODE VALUES From Figure 3.3 it is observed that Eurocode4 formula for
composite material is showing better results than that of
Specim Dia. H/D Height NEXP. NEC4 NEXP. experimental results for example specimen named DSH1A
en (mm) Ratio (mm) (kN) (kN) /NEC4
SS1A 90 3 270 88.3 66.84 1.32 (i.e. 90mm outer & 30 mm inner dia. Hollow specimen
SS2A 75 3 225 76.1 59.37 1.28 results at age of 28 days) is showing approximately 13.20%
SS3A 50 3 150 54.3 49.46 1.10 increase in Ultimate Load while calculating the values with
SS4A 30 3 90 41.2 39.87 1.03 the help of EC4 similarly for DSS1A, DSH2A, DSS2A,
SS1B 90 3 270 91.2 69.3 1.32 DSH1B,DSS1B,DSH2B&DSS2B,found13.50%,14.89%,18.
SS2B 75 3 225 80.3 61.34 1.31
SS3B 50 3 150 57.4 51.2 1.12
79%,2.34%,3.67%,10.71% & 10.50%increment in Ultimate
SS4B 30 3 90 45.8 42.17 1.09 load respectively with the help of EC4.
 calculating the values with the help of ACI & AS Code
similarly for DSS1A, DSH2A, DSS2A, DSH1B, DSS1B,
DSH2B & DSS2Bfound decrement in Ultimate load
respectively with the help of ACI & AS Code.

IV Conclusions
On the basis of experimental test results of self compacting
concrete filled UPVC Double Skin Tubular Column (DSTC)
and UPVC Single Skin Tubular Columns (SSTC), presented
in this report, the following conclusions are derived:-
1. Double skin tubular specimens with inside core left
hollow, shows almost same strength as that with a
solid core at the age of 42 days. This means that by
omitting concrete in the inner core in the double skin
tubular UPVC columns, the load carrying capacity is
not getting compromised.
Fig. 3.3 Variation of Experimental & Eurocode4 results 2. The experimental results obtained in this study are in
good conformity with the mathematical model
H. Comparison of DSTC test results with ACI & AS code suggested by Eurocode4 for composite material. For
single skin UPVC specimens, the difference between
Table 3.8 shows the load values of Experimental results and the test results presented and the predicted values as
values of load calculated through ACI & AS code per EuroCode4 for composite materials lie within 4 to
considerations of DSTC Hollow & DSTC Solid at both 28 13 %. For double skin UPVC specimens, the
and 42 days age also, the ratio of experimental and difference between the test results presented and the
theoretical values. predicted values as per EuroCode4 for composite
materials lie within 1 to 15 % with different
TABLE 3.8 EXPERIMENTAL VALUES AND ACI & AS CODE
VALUES
combinations of hollow/solid core and diameters.
Speci Outer Inner H/D Heigh NEXP. NEC4 NEXP. The test values obtained are lesser than those
men Dia Dia Ratio t (kN) (kN) /NEC4 predicted from the Eurocode4.
(mm) (mm) (mm)
DSH1A 90 30 3 270 80.1 66.84 1.23 3. Comparison of test results with ACI and Australian
DSS1A 90 30 3 270 82.5 66.87 1.20 code formulae shows that the experimentally found
DSH2A 75 30 3 225 67.2 59.36 1.12
DSS2A 75 30 3 225 67.8 60.48 1.13
values are in excess of the values of load carrying
DSH1B 90 30 3 270 91.4 69.3 1.34 capacity determined through the formulae given in
DSS1B 90 30 3 270 93.1 69.31 1.32 these codes by about 3 to 32 % for single UPVC
DSH2B 75 30 3 225 71.8 61.33 1.22 tubes and in the range 12 % to 34 % for DSTC.
DSS2B 75 30 3 225 74.9 62.34 1.15
Probable reason for this may be that the formula
given in the ACI and Australian code does not take
into account the confinement effect properly.

V ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I express my deep sense of gratitude and great regards to
my guide, Prof. Praveen Kumar (RTU Kota), for his
valuable guidance and support. His profound experience
and incomparable expertise combined with his kind
supportive nature has been a substantial asset for us
throughout our learning experience. I thank our parents for
their blessings and prayers.

REFERENCES
1. Elchalakani M, et al. “Tests on concrete filled double skin (CHS
Fig. 3.4 Variation of Experimental with “ACI & AS Code” results
outer an SHS inner) composite short columns under axial
compression. Thin-Walled Structures”. 2002; 40:415– 41.
From Figure 3.4, it is observed that ACI & AS Code
formula for composite material is not showing better results 2. Eurocode 4 DD ENV 1994-1-1. “Design of Composite Steel and
than that of experimental results for example specimen Concrete Structures. Part 1.1”, “General Rules and Rules for
Buildings. London: British Standards Institution”; 1994.
named DSH1A (i.e. 90mm outer & 30 mm inner dia.
Hollow specimen results @28 days) is showing
approximately 10% decrease in Ultimate Load while
3. Golla R (2012) “Experimental investigation into behaviour of
concrete filled PVC tubes.” M.Tech Dissertation I.I.T Roorkee
India.

4. Kalil KS. “Composite columns of double skinned shells. J

Construct Steel Research”. 1991; 19:133–52.

5. Kim JH, et al. “Behaviour of hybrid double skin concrete filled

circular steel tube columns. Steel Compos Structure”. 2013;
14(2):191–204

6. Mimoh Gaikwad , Shrirang Tande “Behaviour of concentrically

loaded concrete filled steel tube short column”. ISSN 2278-621X
Vol. 6

7. Mohanraj EK, Kandasamy S. “Experimental behaviour of axially

loaded hollow steel columns in-filled with concrete”. IE (I)
Journal-CV. 2008 Feb; 88.

8. N.Balasubramani, R.Thenmozhi “Strength and Deflection of

Axially Loaded DSHCFT Columns having PVC Inner - Steel
Outer Pipes annularly In-filled with SCC M35”. IJST Vol. 8 S(7)

9. Pramod Kumar Gupta(2013), “Confinement of concrete columns

with unplasticized poly-vinyl chloride tubes” International Journal
of Advanced Structural Engineering 5-19.