ARTICLE IN PRESS

Thin-Walled Structures 46 (2008) 310–319

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A novel steel section for concrete-filled tubular columns

K. Abedi, A. Ferdousi, H. Afshin
Department of Civil Engineering, Sahand University of Technology, Tabriz, Iran
Received 20 October 2006; received in revised form 28 June 2007; accepted 4 July 2007
Available online 17 October 2007

Abstract

In modern structural constructions, concrete-filled steel tubular (CFT) columns have gradually become a central element in structural
systems like tall buildings, bridges and so forth. The effective parameters on load carrying capacity of CFT columns are the bond
between the steel and internal concrete, local buckling strength of steel tube, creep of concrete and loading conditions of column at
connections. Considering these effective parameters, a novel section is suggested which can be used for columns of tall buildings and
bridges with large spans. The main characteristic of the suggested steel section is internal longitudinal symmetric stiffeners. In the present
study, a comparative investigation into the behavior of this novel section (with circular and octagonal shapes) and the most common
used sections of CFT columns has been carried out under axial and cyclic loading. Having verified the finite element modeling, several
different analyses have been undertaken. The results of the analyses clearly exhibit the increase in strength and ductility of the suggested
novel section under axial and cyclic loading and therefore, its application is recommended in construction practice.
r 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Keywords: Concrete-filled steel tubular (CFT) columns; Internal longitudinal symmetric stiffeners; Nonlinear finite element modeling; Strength and
ductility

1. Introduction
In the building construction industry, concrete-filled
tube (CFT) columns are gaining popularity all over the
world. Compared to conventional steel or reinforced
concrete columns, CFT columns possess many advantages
such as the steel tube providing confinement and formwork
for the concrete core, stability and stiffness of the steel tube
is improved because of the concrete filled into the column,
and lower construction cost. CFT columns have become so
widespread owing to their axially compressed nature
making them superior to conventional reinforced concrete
and steel structural systems in terms of stiffness, strength,
ductility, and energy absorption capacity. The appropriate
behavior of these columns is due to the confinement of
concrete core by steel wall [1]. Schneider [2] has undertaken
an experimental and analytical study on the behavior of
short, concrete-filled steel tube columns concentrically
loaded in compression to failure. Fourteen specimens were
Corresponding author.
E-mail address: k_abedi@sut.ac.ir (K. Abedi).
tested to investigate the effect of the steel shape and wall
thickness on the ultimate strength of the composite
column. Experimental results suggest that circular tubes
offer substantial post-yield strength and stiffness, not
available in most square or rectangular cross sections.
Susantha et al. [3] have presented a method to predict the
complete stress–strain curve of concrete subjected to
triaxial compressive stresses caused by axial load plus
lateral pressure due to the confinement action in circular,
square and octagonal shaped concrete-filled steel tubes.
The highest confinement was found in circular-shaped
columns, while the lowest was in square columns. Inai et al.
[4] have conducted experimental study into the behavior of
concrete-filled circular and square steel tubular (CFT)
beam columns with a variety of material strengths under
axial compression, cyclic horizontal load and biaxial
bending. The test results show that the ductility of circular
CFT beam columns is superior to that of square CFT beam
columns and the ductility of square CFT beam columns
decreases as the width to thickness ratio increases.
Fujimoto et al. [5] have investigated experimentally the
effects of section shape and higher material strengths on

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K. Abedi et al. / Thin-Walled Structures 46 (2008) 310–319
the flexural behavior of eccentrically loaded concrete-filled
steel tubular columns. They have found that the use of high
strength filling concrete generally caused a reduction in the
ductility of a circular CFT column. Also, an increase in
bending strength due to the confinement effect cannot be
expected in square CFT columns. Han and Lin [6] provided
new test data pertaining to the seismic behavior of
concrete-filled hollow structural steel columns after ex-
posure to fire. They have found that concrete-filled tubular
columns after exposure to fire exhibit very high levels of
energy dissipation and ductility. Also, it has been found
that generally the energy dissipation ability of the columns
with circular sections was much higher than those of the
specimens with square sections.
Despite the good performance of CFT columns with most
common used sections, some stiffening schemes have been
proposed to improve the load carrying capacity and ductility
of these columns under different loading conditions. Huang
et al. [7] have investigated the axial load behavior of
concrete-filled steel tubular (CFT) columns and proposed an
effective stiffening scheme to improve the mechanical
properties of square cross-sectional CFT columns in terms
of ultimate strength and ductility. The proposed stiffening
scheme involves welding a set of four steel bars at regular
spacing along the tube axis. Results in this study demon-
strate that the proposed stiffening scheme can significantly
enhance the ultimate strength and ductility of square CFT
columns. Also, the failure modes of the specimens indicate
that the stiffening scheme effectively delays local buckling.
Hu et al. [8] have used four reinforcing ties at regular spacing
along the axis of square section. The results of study show
that the use of reinforcing ties prevents the local buckling of
steel tube and enhances the lateral confining pressure of the
square tubes, especially when the tie spacing is small and tie
number (or tie diameter) is large.
In the present study, a novel section is suggested which
can be used for columns of tall buildings and bridges with
large spans. The main characteristic of the suggested steel
section is internal longitudinal symmetric stiffeners. For
selecting this novel section, the effective parameters on the
behavior of CFT columns should be considered. These
parameters are as follows:
 slenderness and compactness of steel section;
 concrete confinement effect on the strength and ductility
of CFT columns;
 type of steel and concrete filling used in CFT columns;
 residual stresses and corner effects;
 creep and shrinkage effects of filling concrete;
 loading conditions and connection type;
 bond between steel and filling concrete.
The aims of the present study are as follows:
 to suggest a novel steel section for CFT columns;
 finite element modeling of the actual behavior of CFT
columns;
311
 to undertake nonlinear analyses for comparative in-
vestigation into the behavior of this novel section (with
circular and octagonal shapes) and the most common
used sections of CFT under axial and cyclic loading;
 to put forward some recommendations for appropriate
design of the CFT columns.
2. Suggested section for CFT columns
In spite of the appropriate behavior of CFT columns
under different loading conditions, especially cyclic load-
ing, the most common used sections of CFT columns have
some weak points such as:
 high sensitivity of beam-to-column connections to the
manner of load distribution [9];
 local buckling of steel wall under lower loads due to the
pressure of concrete to the inside surface of steel wall [10];
 considerable reduction of strength due to the shrinkage
and creep of concrete [9];
 separation of steel and concrete at the end of columns at
lower loads due to the lack of enough contact surfaces
between them [11].
In order to eliminate the above weak points, a special
steel section is suggested for CFT columns as shown in
Fig. 1. Ferdousi [12] has explained the process of
suggesting these shapes.
The main characteristics of this novel section are as
follows:
 internal longitudinal symmetric stiffeners are welded to
the inside surface of steel wall throughout the length of
column;
 these sections can be produced by welding at the
workshops of construction sites with special arrange-
ments and careful preparations (Fig. 2);
 the shape of this section can be either circular or octagonal.
 Also, special advantages of this novel section are as
follows:
 using this section, there is no need to use any type of
shear connections at the beam-to-column connection
zone for transferring loads to the concrete core;
 in this section, load transferring can be carried out very
appropriately due to the increase in the contact surface
between steel and concrete;
Fig. 1. Suggested shapes for steel sections of CFT columns.
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312 K. Abedi et al. / Thin-Walled Structures 46 (2008) 310–319
Fig. 2. The production process of suggested shapes for steel sections of
CFT columns.
 using internal longitudinal symmetric stiffeners causes
the contact surface between steel and concrete to be
increased, and to do so, the effects of creep and
shrinkage decreases considerably.
3. Finite element modeling of CFT columns
In order to carry out a comparative investigation into
the behavior of this novel section (with circular and
octagonal shapes) and the most common used sections of
CFT columns under axial and cyclic loading, geometric
and material nonlinear finite element analyses have been
undertaken. In the present study, all of the analyses have
been undertaken using ANSYS, which is a general-purpose
finite element programme designed specifically for ad-
vanced structural analysis [13].
3.1. Characteristics of the finite elements used in the
modeling
Three-dimensional solid elements (Solid 65) have been
used to model the concrete core. This element is defined by
eight nodes having three translational degrees of freedom
at each node. This solid element is capable of cracking in
tension and crushing in compression, plastic deformation
and creep [14]. The criterion for failure of concrete due to a
multi-axial stress can be expressed in the form of
F
 SX0,
f 0c
where F is a function of the principal stress state s, S the
failure surface expressed in terms of principal stresses and
five input parameters ft, fc0 , fcb, f1 and f2 (ft: ultimate
uniaxial tensile strength, f 0c : ultimate uniaxial compressive
strength, fcb: ultimate biaxial compressive strength, f1:
ultimate compressive strength for a state of biaxial
compression superimposed on hydrostatic stress state, f2:
ultimate compressive strength for a state of uniaxial
compression superimposed on hydrostatic stress state).
Fig. 3 indicates the failure surface in principal stress space
szp close to zero.
Two-dimensional shell elements (Shell 43) have been
used to model the steel wall. This element is well suited to
Fig. 3. Failure surface in principal stress space szp close to zero.
model linear, warped, moderately thick shell structures.
The element has three translational and three rotational
degrees of freedom at each node. For the out-of-plane
motion, it uses a mixed interpolation of tensorial compo-
nents. This element has plasticity, stress stiffening, large
deflection and large strain capabilities. Also, the element is
well suited for modeling the local buckling and warping of
steel wall. The Von-Mises yield criteria and kinematics-
hardening rule have been used to define the material
behavior of shell element.
Three-dimensional node to node contact element
(Contact 52) has been used to model the contact between
steel wall and concrete core. The element is located between
two adjacent nodes of steel wall and concrete core and is
capable of modeling the separation, sliding and contact
between two nodes during the loading process. The element
is capable of supporting only compression in the direction
normal to the surfaces and shear in the tangential direction
(Coulomb friction). The element has three translational
degrees of freedom at each node. The element may be
initially preloaded in the normal direction or it may be given
a gap specification. A specified stiffness acts in the normal
and tangential directions when the gap is closed and not
sliding. The assumptions of this element are friction
coefficient (m), stiffness in the normal direction (KN), stiffness
in the tangential direction (KS), initial penetration and initial
conditions of gap (closed or open). Figs. 4 and 5 show three-
dimensional node to node contact element (Contact 52) and
its force–deflection relationship, respectively.
A three-dimensional solid element (Solid 45) has been
used to model the stiffener plate. This element has suitable
compatibility with the shell element of steel wall and
isoparametric solid element of concrete core. The element
has plasticity, stress stiffening, large deflection and large
strain capabilities.
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K. Abedi et al. / Thin-Walled Structures 46 (2008) 310–319
Fig. 4. Three-dimensional node to node contact element (Contact 52),
used to model the contact between steel wall and concrete core.
Fig. 5. Force–deflection relationship for the contact element.
A three-dimensional spar element (Link 8) has been used
to model the reinforcement steels of concrete. This element
is a uniaxial tension–compression element with three
degrees of freedom at each node. Also, no bending of the
element is considered. Plasticity, stress stiffening, and large
deflection capabilities are included.
3.2. Material characteristics
The stress–strain behavior of concrete core and steel
wall, used for material and geometric static analyses, are
shown in Figs. 6 and 7, respectively.
3.3. Verification of finite element modeling
In order to verify the accuracy and validity of the finite
element modeling, the numerical results, obtained from
material and geometric nonlinear static analyses, have been
compared with the experimental results of the CFT
columns under axial, lateral monotonic and lateral cyclic
loadings. Regarding the axial loading, an experimental
CFT column with circular section (sample C1) has been
used according to the specifications given in Table 1 [2].
For the lateral monotonic loading, the experimental
results of a CFT column, under lateral monotonic (sample
ST85-I), has been used in the present study for comparison.
The specification of the sample is given in Table 1 [15]. For
313
Fig. 6. The stress–strain relationship for steel wall.
Fig. 7. The stress–strain relationship for concrete core.
the lateral cyclic loading, an experimental CFT column
(sample CIIS3) has been used according to the specifica-
tions given in Table 1 [16]. Fig. 8 shows the loading
conditions for ST85-I and CIIS3 specimens.
Figs. 9–11 illustrate the experimental and numerical
axial load–axial displacement response under axial
loading and shear force–rotation angle responses under
lateral monotonic and lateral cyclic loadings, respectively.
It can be seen from these figures that the theoretical
behavior predicted by the nonlinear finite element static
analyses followed closely the actual behavior exhibited by
the experimental model. Consequently, it has been
found that the finite element model is reliable enough to
be used to undertake nonlinear analyses for comparative
investigation into the behavior of the suggested novel
sections and the most common used sections of CFT
columns.
4. Analyses results
For comparative investigation, nine CFT columns,
divided into two groups, have been considered for analysis.
The first group includes S1.cr (square section with filled
concrete), C1.cr (circular section with filled concrete),
C1.cr–re (circular section with filled concrete and reinfor-
cement bars), C1.pr (circular section with filled concrete
and stiffeners) and O1.pr (octagonal section with filled
concrete and stiffeners). The second group includes C2.cr
(circular section with filled concrete), C2.cr–re (circular
section with filled concrete and reinforcement bars), C2.pr
(circular section with filled concrete and stiffeners) and
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Table 1
The specifications of the experimental CFT columns

Sample name Type of Cross section Dimensions L/D FY (MPa) fc0 (MPa)
loading (mm)

C1 Axial Circular D ¼ 140, 4.3 285 28.18

t ¼ 3.00
ST 85-I Lateral Square D ¼ 100, 3.0 322 22.5
monotonic t ¼ 4.25
C11S3 Lateral cyclic Square D ¼ 100, 6.0 298 27.0
t ¼ 2.96

Fig. 8. Loading condition the loading conditions for ST85-I and CIIS3 specimens (R ¼ D/L, N0 ¼ As  Fy+Ac  sc, sc ¼ 1.2fc0 : confinment effect).

Fig. 10. Experimental and numerical shear force–rotation angle responses

Fig. 9. Experimental and numerical axial load–axial displacement of a CFT column (sample ST85-I) under lateral monotonic loading.
responses of a CFT column (sample C1) under axial loading.

O2.pr (octagonal section with filled concrete and stiffen-
ers). The assumptions made in the selection of these
sections are as follows:
 The selected CFT columns have been considered as
columns with common used dimensions and with high
load carrying capacity (L=3000 mm).
 For steel: Fy=280 MPa, Es=200,000 MPa and for
concrete: fc0 =27.0 MPa, Ec=23,823 MPa.
 The total cross-section area of the columns in each
group, including the cross-section areas of steel wall,
concrete core, stiffeners and reinforcement bars, as well
as the material properties are the same. In the groups of
1 and 2, the total cross-section area of steel is 23,047 and
30,219 mm2, respectively. In each group, the cross-
section area of concrete is 23,823 mm2.
 In suggested novel sections, area of the stiffeners is 30%
of the cross-section area of steel section.
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K. Abedi et al. / Thin-Walled Structures 46 (2008) 310–319 315

 The thickness of steel wall has been selected according to

the design provisions, presented by ACI and AISC, in
such a way that the local buckling does not occur in
lower loads.

The specifications of the first and second groups of CFT

columns are given in Tables 2 and 3, respectively. The
columns are considered as fixed-end columns.

4.1. Numerical results of CFT samples under axial loading

In order to investigate into the behavior of CFT samples

of each group under axial loading, three types of load
application have been considered. As shown in Fig. 12, in
the case of load application types of (a) and (b), the axial
Fig. 11. Experimental and numerical shear force–rotation angle responses loading is applied only to the concrete core and to the steel
of a CFT column (sample CIIS3) under lateral cyclic loading.
section, respectively. However in the case of load applica-
tion type of (c), the axial loading is applied to the entire
Table 2
section. In each case, the load is transferred by two rigid
The specifications of the group 1 of the CFT columns
plates, located in the top and bottom of the columns.
Sample S1.cr C1.cr C1.cr-re C1.pr O1.pr Fig. 13 shows the axial load–axial displacement
responses of the CFT columns of group 1. The loads have
Diameter of section (mm) 477.45 538.00 536.45 551.38 534.71
Thickness of wall (mm) 12.42 14.00 12.450 9.322 9.115
been applied to the concrete core only (load application
Longitudinal reinf. bars – – 16F14 – – type of (a)). Before loading, enough friction is applied to
Lateral reinf. bars – – F10 at – – the contact surface of steel wall and concrete core. It can be
300 mm seen from this figure that the increase in the amount of
Thickness of stiffeners – – – 8.15 8.15 yield load of the suggested sections (C1.pr and O1.pr CFT
(mm)
Width of stiffeners (mm) – – – 110 110
samples) is considerable. Also, the suggested novel sections
exhibit better strain-hardening characteristics on their post-
yield behavior. Fig. 14 illustrates the axial load–axial
Table 3
displacement responses of the CFT columns of group 1 in
The specifications of the group 2 of the CFT columns
which the loads have been applied to the steel section only
Sample C2.cr C2.cr- C2.pr O2.pr (load application type of (b)). Before loading, enough
re friction is applied to the contact surface of steel wall and
Diameter of section (mm) 542.35 538.80 556.06 539.29
concrete core. The figure indicates that the amount of
Thickness of wall (mm) 18.350 13.914 14.00 13.69 critical load and stiffness of the suggested sections (C1.pr
Longitudinal reinf. bars – 16F24 – – and O1.pr CFT samples) has been increased. Also, the
Lateral reinf. bars – F10 at – – suggested O1.pr CFT column exhibit better strain-hard-
300 mm ening characteristics on its post-yield behavior. The reasons
Thickness of stiffeners (mm) – – 8.15 8.15
Width of stiffeners (mm) – – 110 110
for the higher yield load and better strain-hardening
characteristics of C1.pr and O1.pr CFT samples in both

Fig. 12. Three types of load application. Load applied to: (a) the concrete core section, (b) the steel section, and (c) the entire section.
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316 K. Abedi et al. / Thin-Walled Structures 46 (2008) 310–319
Fig. 13. The axial load–axial displacement responses of the CFT columns
of group 1 (load application type of (a)).
Fig. 14. The axial load–axial displacement responses of the CFT columns
of group 1 (load application type of (b)).
cases (when the axial load has been applied to the concrete
core or on the steel section only), are perimeter extension of
wall, delay in the occurrence of local buckling of steel wall
and more friction between concrete core and steel wall due
to the stiffener plates. It is worth noting that the O1.pr
CFT sample shows more appropriate behavior in compar-
ison with C1.pr CFT sample because of its corner effects in
the steel section.
In order to asses the effects of adding the stiffener plates,
the axial load–axial displacement responses of two samples
from groups 1 and 2 are shown in Fig. 15. It should be
noted that the sectional dimensions and material char-
acteristics of the samples are the same, but only in the
sample of C2.pr, the stiffener plates with total area of
7171 mm2 have been used. The loads have been applied to
the entire section (load application type of (c)). Consider-
ing the specifications of these samples given in Tables 2
and 3, the predicted amount of increase in the yield load of
Fig. 15. The axial load–axial displacement responses of C1.cr and C2.pr
samples (load application type of (c)).
Fig. 16. The axial load–axial displacement responses of the CFT columns
of group 2 (load application type of (c)).
C2.pr sample due to the stiffener plates is 7172*280/
1000=2008.16 kN. However, Fig. 15 indicates that the
amount of increase in the yield load is 3625 kN, that is, the
resulted yield load for C2.pr sample is 10% more than the
predicted amount. The reasons for this increase is the delay
in cracking and yielding of concrete due to more enough
contact surface between concrete core and steel wall and
better concrete confinement effect in C2.pr sample.
Fig. 16 illustrates the axial load–axial displacement
responses of the CFT columns of group 2 under axial
loading. The loads have been applied to the entire section
(load application type of (c)). By examination of Fig. 16, it
can be seen that the yield load and stiffness of the suggested
novel sections (C2-pr and O2.pr) are considerably higher
than that of the C2.cr and C2.cr–re samples. Also, this
figure indicates that the suggested novel sections exhibit
appropriate strain-hardening characteristics on their post-
yield behavior. These results clearly show the considerable
effects of the stiffener plates on the behavior of the CFT
columns.
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K. Abedi et al. / Thin-Walled Structures 46 (2008) 310–319 317

4.2. Numerical results of the CFT samples under lateral
cyclic loading
The process of lateral cyclic loading and the number of
cycles–lateral displacement history applied to the CFT
column samples have been illustrated in Fig. 12. It is worth
noting that in this cyclic loading, after applying 30% of
nominal load carrying capacity of the column as an axial
load (3600 kN for CFT columns of group 1 and 4200 kN
for CFT columns of group 1), lateral cyclic displacement
has been applied to the top of column. Fig. 17 shows the
envelope curves of hysteretic loops for CFT columns of
group 1 under lateral cyclic loading. This figure clearly
indicates the less degradation of load at the subsequent
cycles for suggested CFT sections, especially O1.pr CFT
sample. Fig. 18 shows the deformed shapes and Von-Mises
stress contours for CFT columns of group 1 at the end of
lateral cyclic loading. This figure shows buckling occur-
rence of S1.cr, C1.cr and C1.cr–re CFT samples. However,
in C1.pr and O1.pr suggested novel sections, before
yielding, the steel wall has not buckled. Therefore, the
concrete confinement effect has been increased. Fig. 19
illustrates the hysteretic curves for CFT columns of group 2
under lateral cyclic loading. This figure clearly indicates the

Fig. 17. The envelope curves of hysteretic loops for CFT columns of Fig. 19. The hysteretic loops for CFT columns of group 2 under lateral
group 1. cyclic loading.

Fig. 18. Deformed shapes and Von-Mises stress contours for CFT columns of group 1 at the end of cyclic loading.
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318 K. Abedi et al. / Thin-Walled Structures 46 (2008) 310–319

Table 4 metric nonlinear static analyses, have been compared with

The absorbing energy capacity of CFT columns in comparison with that the available experimental results of the CFT columns. It
of the O2.pr sample
has been found that the finite element model is reliable
Sample Cycle Cycle no. Cycle Cycle Cycle enough to be used to undertake nonlinear analyses for
no. 1 2 no. 3 no. 4 no. 5 comparative investigation. In the present study, nine CFT
columns, divided into two groups, have been considered
C2.cr 0.960 0.890 0.880 0.860 0.840
for analysis under axial and cyclic loading. Based on the
C2.cr–re 0.940 0.900 0.880 0.870 0.858
C2.pr 1.00 0.991 0.995 0.996 0.996 results obtained from analyses, the following conclusions
O2.pr 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 are drawn. Strictly speaking, the scope of the conclusions is
limited to the group of the analyzed CFT columns.
However, it is likely that the conclusions are of more
general applicability.
The critical buckling load and the rate of stiffening in the
post-yield range of the suggested novel sections are
considerably more than those of the most common used
sections.
The effect of wall shape on the increase of concrete
strength due to the confinement phenomenon is consider-
able for the suggested novel sections.
The critical load and strength of concrete for the
octagonal shapes of novel sections are higher than those
of the circular sections.
Under the lateral cyclic loading, the suggested sections
have appropriate ductility characteristics and higher
absorbing energy capacity. Also, the obtained results
indicate less degradation of load at the subsequent cycles
Fig. 20. The envelope curves of hysteretic loops for CFT columns of for suggested CFT novel sections.
group 2.
The manner of load distribution at the end of CFT
columns has significant role on the behavior of these
sections, and consequently this important point must be
appropriate behavior of the novel sections, especially from considered in the design process, especially for the CFT
the absorbing energy capacity viewpoint. Table 4 gives the columns of the tall buildings.
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