Applied Mechanics and Materials Vols 351-352 (2013) pp 790-797 Online: 2013-08-08

© (2013) Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland

doi:10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.351-352.790

Research on Behavior of Rectangular CFST Stub Columns with Binding

Bars under Axial Compression
Hongliang Liu1,a,Jian Cai2,b
1
Civil Engineering Department,South China University of Technology,Guangzhou,China 510641
2
State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Building Science,Guangzhou China,510641
a
hongliang0608@163.com,bcvjcai@scut.edu.cn

Keywords: Binding bars, Rectangular CFST, Mechanical behavior, Poisson ratio

Abstract: The constitutive model of core concrete was proposed, which was suitable for finite
element (FE) analysis of rectangular concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) columns with binding bars.
Based on the ABAQUS FE platform, the USDFLD subroutine was compiled, which could consider
the changing of Poisson ratio of many materials in loading process. A FE model was developed and
used to simulate the rectangular CFST columns with binding bars. The mechanical behavior were
analyzed for stress versus strain relationship curves, confined effect among steel tube, core concrete
and binding bars, longitudinal stress distributions of core concrete. The results show that the FE
results simulated by using constitutive relationship of core concrete of this paper are in good
agreement with test results. The local buckling of steel tube is delayed which can make the yield of
steel tube occur before ultimate strength of specimens, the concrete confinement of the corner regions
and central regions is improved, the longitudinal stress of concrete is increased and the capacity and
ductility of specimens are improved, by setting binding bars and decreasing the binding bars spacing.

Introduction
Compared with circular CFST columns, rectangular CFST columns have a serial of advantages such
as: (1) more convenient fabrication and construction; (2) easy connection and less cost at beam-column
joints; (3) the cross-section shape agreeing well with the design need of the architecture plane of
buildings; (4) large moment of inertia of cross-section which leads to higher capacity of resisting
lateral load. Han et al [1] carried out experimental study and theoretical research. However, for normal
sectioned rectangular CFST columns, effective confinement of concrete only lies in the corner regions,
beyond these regions it will decrease quickly and eventually vanishes at the center of the side walls.
The results show that the whole confinement effect, capacity and ductility are less than that of circular
CFST columns. To improve these behavior of rectangular CFST columns, Cai et al [2-3] proposed a
new stiffening scheme to increase the concrete confinement effect at the centre of the side walls and
to delay the steel tube buckling. This scheme involves horizontal orthotropic binding bars arranged at
regular spacing along longitudinal axis of the steel column. The typical stiffener arrangement for
rectangular CFST columns is displayed in Fig.1. Cai et al [2-3] carried out axial compression and
eccentric compression tests on rectangular CFST columns with binding bars. Results show that the
local buckling of steel tube is delayed, the load bearing capacity and the ductility of the specimens are
improved by setting binding bars. Cai et al [4-5] proposed constitutive relationship model of core
concrete for rectangular CFST columns with binding bars, based on the constitutive model of confined
concrete proposed by Mander et al [6]. A fiber model method was applied to simulated the specimens
tested by Cai et al [2-3] with load-deformation curve. It was shown that the predicted results were in
good agreement with the experimental results. Simplified calculation formulas of bearing capacity
were deduced for rectangular CFST columns with binding bars under axial compression and eccentric
compression. The results of this study have been successfully applied to many practical projects and
achieved good economic effect, especially tall buildings such as: Guangzhou New China Mansion
[7], Guangzhou Minghui commercial building [8], Guangzhou Mingsheng plaza [9]. However,
present research only concentrated on bearing capacity calculation, deduced calculation formula and
load- deformation curve of specimens. It has less study on stress versus strain relationship curves of

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 Applied Mechanics and Materials Vols. 351-352 791

specimens, confined interaction among steel tube, core concrete and binding bars, cross-section stress
distributions. But the solution of these problems relates to further analyses of the mechanical behavior
and failure model of rectangular CFST columns with binding bars.

Fig.1 Rectangular cross-section of CFST columns with binding bars

Hence, in this paper, confined effect of binding bars is involved. The constitutive model of confined
concrete proposed by Han et al [1] is modified and applied herein. The constitutive model of core
concrete is proposed, which is suitable for FE analysis of rectangular CFST columns with binding
bars. Based on the ABAQUS FE platform and introducing stress field variables, the USDFLD subroutine
is compiled. The change of Poisson ratio of many materials could be involved in loading process. A
FE model is developed and used to simulate the rectangular CFST columns with binding bars. The
mechanical behavior is analyzed for stress versus strain relationship curves, confined interaction
among steel tube, core concrete and binding bars, longitudinal stress distributions of core concrete.
The results will provide a more complete theory for this new component in engineering application.

FE MODEL

Concrete model. In regard to the core concrete confined by steel tube, Han et al. [1] proposed
constitutive model of core concrete, which is suitable for ABAQUS FE analysis of rectangular CFST
columns and is verified by many examples. However, for rectangular CFST columns with binding
bars, the core concrete is not only confined by steel tube, but also confined by binding bars.
Therefore, based on constitutive model of core concrete proposed by Han et al. [1], and considering
confined effect of steel tube and binding bars, this paper proposed a modified constitutive model of
core concrete, which is suitable for ABAQUS FE analysis of rectangular CFST columns with binding
bars and is verified by many examples. The expressions are as follows:

2 x − x 2 ( x ≤ 1)
 (1)
y= x
 β ( x − 1)η + x ( x > 1)
 0
ε σ 1.5
Where x = , y= （1+48.5ζ ）×10−6 , η = 1.6 +
, σ 0 = f c' , ε 0 = ε c + 800ξ 0.2 , Ec = 4730 f c'
ε0 σ0 x ,
( f c' )0.1 As f y nb Ab f yb
ε c = (1300 + 12.5 f c' ) ×10−6 , β0 = ,ξ= ,ζ = ; f c' is the cylinder
1.2 1+ξ 1+2ζ A f
c ck ( Dc + B c )b f
s ck

compressive strength of core concrete, in MPa; ξ is the restraint coefficient of steel tube; ζ is the
restraint coefficient of binding bars.

Poisson ratio of core concrete will increase with the increase of the pressure under the triaxial
compression. According to Han et al. [1], the expressions are as follows:

 σ f ' − 41
0.173 ≤ 0.55 + 0.25( c )
 σ0 41 (2)
µc = 
 0.173 + 0.7036( σ − 0.4)1.5 ( f c ) σ > 0.55 + 0.25( f c − 41)
' '

 σ0 24 σ 0 41
792 Advances in Civil Structures

Where f c' is the cylinder compressive strength of core concrete, in MPa; σ 0 is the peak stress of core
concrete, in MPa.

Steel model. The steel was simulated by an elastic-plastic mode. A five-stage stress-strain model
was used (as shown in Fig.2), and the detail expressions can be found in Han et al. [1]. Where f p , f y
and f u are elastic ultimate strength, yield strength and ultimate strength of steel respectively. Poisson
ratio will increase with the increase of stress in the elastic-plastic stage of steel. The expressions are as
follows:

σ − fp
µs = 0.167 × + 0.283 (3)
fy − fp

Selecting element type and meshing elements. Steel tube was simulated by the shell element of
four-node reduced integral format (S4R). In order to satisfy calculative precision, Simpson integral of
nine integral points was used in the shell element. The three-dimensional entity element of eight-node
reduced integral format (C3D8R) was adopted to simulate the rigid plates of column ends and core
concrete. Binding bars were simulated by three-dimensional and two node truss element (T3D2). Rigid
plates of column ends were defined as rigid body in the interaction function modules for reducing
calculative time and saving resources. The structured mesh technology was applied to the model.
Interfaces and boundary conditions. A surface-based interaction was used to simulate the surface
between the steel tube and concrete. In the normal direction, the “hard” contact was applied which
allows the two contact surface separating but not penetrating, and a “Mohr-Coulomb” friction model
was used in the tangential direction by applying the friction coefficient of o.6. The “Tie” constraint
was applied to simulate the surface between the rigid plate and steel tube, as well as binding bars and
steel tube. The “hard” contact was adopted to simulate the surface between the rigid plate and concrete.
The bottom of the column was restrained in all degrees of freedom. The axial load was applied in the
top of the column, as shown in Fig.3. The well-known Newton-Raphson incremental-iterative solution
method was used to deal with the material and geometric dual nonlinear in the analysis.

Fig.2 Stress-strain curve of steel Fig.3 FE model

USDFLD subroutine. For compression specimens of CFST, steel tube and concrete lie in
unidirectional compression respectively in the early loaded, because the Poisson ratio of steel is
greater than that of concrete in less longitudinal compressive stress. When the load increases, the Poisson
ratio of concrete is more than that of steel because of the concrete internal cracks developing. Meanwhile,
mutual constrain happen between steel tube and concrete, which make steel tube under a longitudinal and
radial compression, hoop tensile strength combine stress and concrete under the three-dimensional
compression. Huang et al. [10] research shows that the constrained effect between steel tube and
concrete not only related with Poisson ratio, section radius and elastic modulus of core concrete, but
also with Poisson radio, thickness and elastic modulus of steel tube. Therefore, when the FE model
was applied to simulate specimens, the developing of Poisson radio must be involved in loading
process. It could be further analysis at the performance of rectangular CFST with binding bars. Based
 Applied Mechanics and Materials Vols. 351-352 793

on Equations 2 and 3 and introducing stress field variables, the USDFLD subroutine was compiled.
The change of Poisson ratio of many materials could be considered in loading process. The material
models were finally complete.

VERIFICATION

The FE model described above was used to simulate 16 specimens of rectangular CFST with binding
bars stub columns [2,11]. More details of specimens, predicted results and experimental results were
shown in Table 1. Some typical load-deformation curves of specimens were shown in Fig.4. The
“computed 1” and “computed 2” means that the predicted results are simulated by using the constitutive
model of concrete of this paper and the constitutive model of concrete proposed by Han et al. [1],
respectively.

Table 1 Predicted results compared with experimental results

Specimen D/ B/t / L ast / asb / ast / bs / d s / nb N uc
Nue Nuc Source
label /mm mm /mm N ue
R1 120/240/6/600 120/0/120 100/8/1 2292 2264 0.99
R2 120/240/6/600 80/80/80 150/8/2 2399 2289 0.95
R3 120/240/6/600 90/60/90 150/8/2 2421 2275 0.94
R4 120/300/6/600 150/0/150 100/8/1 3429 3351 0.98
R5 120/300/6/600 100/100/100 150/8/2 3445 3368 0.98 [11]
R6 120/300/6/600 113/74/113 150/8/2 3566 3363 0.94
R7 120/360/6/600 180/0/180 100/8/1 3111 3204 1.03
R8 120/360/6/600 120/120/120 150/8/2 3221 3218 1.00
R9 120/360/6/600 135/90/135 150/8/2 3265 3216 0.98
B2 150/300/6/1200 150/0/150 150/14/1 4333 4054 0.94
B3 150/300/6/1200 100/100/100 150/14/2 4397 4283 0.97
B4 150/300/4/1200 150/0/150 150/14/1 3865 2963 0.77
B5 150/300/10/1200 150/0/150 150/14/1 5704 5475 0.96 [2]
B6 150/300/6/1200 150/0/150 150/12/1 4517 4144 0.92
B7 150/300/6/1200 150/0/150 150/16/1 4470 4187 0.94
B8 150/450/6/1200 150/0/150 150/14/1 6204 5513 0.89
Mean 0.982
COV 0.067
Note: D and B are the short length and long length of column cross-section respectively. t is the
thickness of steel tube. L is the length of column. ase is the spacing between horizontal binding bar
and steel. asl is the spacing of horizontal binding bars. bs is the spacing of longitudinal binding bars.
d s and n are the diameter and number of binding bar respectively. N ue is the test load. N uc is the
calculated load by FE.

(a) B2 [2] (b) B3 [2]

794 Advances in Civil Structures

(c) B5 [2] (d) B7 [2]

Fig.4 Load-deformation curves of some typical specimens

MECHANICAL BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS

A set of rectangular CFST with binding bars columns were simulated by the FE model verified above,
which were applied to analyze their behavior. The more details of examples were given as in Table 2.

Table 2 Details of examples

Specimen D/ B/t / L ast / asb / ast / bs / d s / nb f y / f yb / fcu
label /mm mm /mm MPa
RC1 150/300/6/900 - - 345/345/50
RC2 150/300/6/900 150/0/150 150/14/1 345/345/50
RC3 150/300/6/900 100/100/100 150/14/2 345/345/50

Load-deformation curves and stress-strain curves. The load-deflection curves of specimens

and the stress-strain curves of CFST, core concrete, steel tube and binding bar were shown in Fig.6.
The stress of CFST is expressed by nominal stress (total load divided by cross-section area of specimen).
In order to make diagrams more clearly, the stress of steel tube and binding bar are decreased ten
times, which are in the same stress level with stress of CFST and concrete.
As shown in 6a, the bearing capacity and ductility of rectangular specimens are improved by setting
binding bars and decreasing spacing of binding bars. It can be seen from 6b that, the yield strength of
steel tube of RC1 without binding bars happen after the ultimate strength of specimens. This is because
the local bulking of steel tube occurred early, causing the core concrete could not provide enough
support for steel tube. Fig.6c and 6d show that the local bulking of steel tube is delayed, the yield
strength of steel tube occurs before the ultimate strength of specimen, the confinement of concrete
providing by steel tube and binding bars is improved, the stress of concrete and the nominal stress of
CFST are increased, by setting binding bars and decreasing spacing of binding bars. As shown in
Fig.6, for all specimens, the stress of steel tube after yield are improved due to steel tube lies on the
strengthen stage after yield. It can be seen from Fig.6c and 6d that, the yield stress of binding bars
occur after the ultimate strength of specimen. This indicates that the material performance of binding
bars is fully used.
Analysis confined effect among steel tube, core concrete and binding bars. The change of
constraint force distribution in mid-span section of columns is shown in Fig.7. The comparison of
lateral deformation of steel tube and concrete in mid-span section of columns is shown in Fig.8. (In
Fig.7 and 8, Nu is the ultimate bearing capacity of specimens. 0.75Nu, fall is the bearing capacity falling
below 0.75 times of the ultimate bearing capacity of specimens. )
As shown in Fig.7a for the specimens without binding bars (RC1), constraint force lies in the corner
regions of steel tube, decreases quickly beyond these regions and eventually vanishes at the center of
the side walls. Constraint force increases with the increase of axial load. Fig.7b and 7c show that constraint
force not only lies in the corner regions of steel tube, but also in the nearby regions of binding bars. In
addition, constraint force of the corner regions increases by decreasing spacing of binding bars, which
indicates steel tube can provide much stronger confinement for core concrete by setting binding bars.
 Applied Mechanics and Materials Vols. 351-352 795

（a） （b）RC1

（c）RC2 （d）RC3
Fig.6 Load-deformation curves and stress-strain curves of rectangular specimens

(a) RC1 (b) RC2 (c) RC3

Fig.7 Constraint force distribution of mid-span section of columns

(a) RC1 (b) RC2 (c) RC3

Fig.8 Comparison of lateral deformation of steel tube and concrete in mid-span section of columns

Due to the change of lateral deflection values is large, the vertical coordinate is divided into two
parts that use different scale, as shown in Fig.8. This aims to make the diagram more clearly. It can be
seen from Fig.8a that, for the specimens without binding bars (RC1), when the load achieves 0.25Nu
and 0.5Nu, the confinement is not formed between steel tube and concrete. The load is bore by steel
tube and concrete respectively. This is because the initial Poisson ratio of steel tube is greater that of
concrete, leading to the lateral deformation of steel tube larger than that of concrete. When the load
achieves 0.75Nu, the confinement occurs in the corner of steel tube. This indicates that the Poisson ratio
of concrete is greater that of steel tube, leading to the lateral deformation of concrete larger than that
of steel tube. But the confinement doesn’t happen in the centre of steel tube, because the local bulking of
796 Advances in Civil Structures

steel tube has occurred. As shown in Fig.8b and 8c, for the specimens with binding bars, when the
load reaches to 0.25Nu, the confinement occurs in the nearby region of binding bars. After the 0.5 Nu,
the corner of steel tube also forms confined effect. Meanwhile, the local bulking of steel tube is reduced.
This indicates that the confined effect between steel tube and concrete is improved, by setting binding
bars and decreasing spacing binding bars. In addition, the constraint regions between steel tube and
concrete of Fig.8 consist with constraint force distribution of Fig.7.
Longitudinal stress distributions of core concrete.The longitudinal stress distribution of concrete
in mid-span of columns at the ultimate bearing capacity (Nu) is shown in Fig.9. When the bearing
capacity falls below 0.75 times of the ultimate bearing capacity, the longitudinal stress distribution of
concrete in mid-span of columns is shown in Fig.10. As shown in Fig.9 and Fig.10, compared with the
specimens without binding bars, the stress of concrete in the corner regions is greater by setting
binding bars and decreasing spacing binding bars. Meanwhile, for the specimens with binding bars, the
stress of concrete in the nearby region of binding bars is greater than that of the specimens without
binding bars. This indicates that the bearing capacity of concrete and the ultimate bearing capacity of
CFST is improved.

(a) RC1 (b) RC2 (c) RC3

Fig.9The longitudinal stress distribution of concrete in mid-span of columns at Nu

(a) RC1 (b) RC2 (c) RC3

Fig.10 The longitudinal stress distribution of concrete in mid-span of columns at 0.75 Nu, fall

CONCLUSIONS
From the results mentioned above, the following conclusions can be drawn within the limitations of
the current research:
1. The constitutive model of core concrete is proposed, which is suitable for finite element (FE)
analysis of rectangular concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) columns with binding bars.
2. The USDFLD subroutine was compiled by introducing stress field variables.The change of Poisson
ratio of many materials was solved in loading process. The material models were complete.The
FE model was established. The predicted results agreed well with experimental results. But the
influence of the behavior of specimens need to be further studied, whether the Poisson radio is
involved.
3. The local buckling of steel tube is delayed which can make the yield of steel tube occur before
ultimate strength of specimens, the concrete confinement of the corner regions and centra regions
is improved, the longitudinal stress of concrete is increased and the capacity and ductility of
specimens are improved, by setting binding bars and decreasing the binding bars spacing.
 Applied Mechanics and Materials Vols. 351-352 797

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The research reported in the paper is part of the Initiative Scientific Research Programs of the State
Key Laboratory of Subtropical Building Science (No: X2TJ-C709025z, 2011ZC25, 2011ZC28,
2013ZC14, 2013ZC20). The financial supports are highly appreciated. The authors would also like to
acknowledge the support of the National Natural Science foundation (No: 50878087).

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Advances in Civil Structures
10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.351-352

Research on Behavior of Rectangular CFST Stub Columns with Binding Bars under Axial
Compression
10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.351-352.790

DOI References
[6] Mander J B, Priestley M J N, Park R. Theoretical stress-strain model for confined concrete [J]. Journal of
Structural Engineering, ASCE, 1988, 114(8): 1804-1826.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9445(1988)114:8(1804)