Behaviour and Calculations of Concrete-Filled Double Skin Steel Tubular (CFDST) Members

Lin-Hai Han* Fei-Yu Liao* Zhong Tao**

*
Department of Civil Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
**
College of Civil Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350108, China

Abstract
This paper briefly summarises some recent research outcomes of concrete-filled double skin steel tubes (CFDST). The
design approach and behaviour of CFDST members presented by the authors and their collaborators are briefly
introduced. The topics covered in this paper include members subjected to static and dynamic loading, effects of long-
term loading, fire performance and residual strength after exposure to fire. Future research needs are identified.

Keywords: Concrete-filled double skin steel tubes (CFDST), behaviour, design, static, long-term, cyclic, fire

1. Introduction
CFDST (Concrete-filled double skin steel tube) is a new Outer steel
Outer steel tube Inner steel tube
type of composite construction, which consists of two Sandwiched tube
concentric steel tubes with concrete sandwiched between concrete
them. CFDST members combine the advantages of the to
ti to
Di

ti

Di
well-known concrete-filled steel tube (CFST) and the
conventional hollow reinforced concrete (RC) columns.
Inner steel
Thus, CFDST columns have a series of advantages, such tube Do Sandwiched Bo
as high strength and bending stiffness, good seismic and concrete
fire performance, and favorable construction ability. (a) Circular (b) Square
Figure 1 (a), (b) and (c) shows three typical profiles of
the CFDST sections (designated as circular, square and Outer steel Inner steel
rectangular CFDST respectively in this paper), where Bo tube tube
is the width of outer square or rectangular steel tube, Bi is
the width of inner rectangular steel tube, Do is the
diameter of outer circular steel tube or the depth of outer to ti
Do
Di

rectangular steel tube, Di is the diameter of inner circular

steel tube or the depth of inner rectangular steel tube, to,
and ti are the thicknesses of outer and inner steel hollow
sections, respectively. Sandwiched
Bi
CFDSTs have great potential to be used as columns or concrete
piers in structures. In the past, the behaviour of CFDST Bo
columns has been the subject of investigations (Wei et al., (c) Rectangular
1995; Yagishita et al., 2000; Lin and Tsai, 2001; Zhao
and Grzebieta, 2002; Han et al.; 2004; Tao et al., 2004;
Zhao and Han, 2006; Tan and Han, 2006; Han et al., Figure 1. CFDST cross-section configurations
2006; Han et al., 2009a).
This paper briefly summarises some recent research
outcomes of concrete-filled double skin steel tubes
(CFDST) by the authors and their collaborators. The and fck is the compressive strength of the concrete and
design approach and behaviour of CFDST members are can be determined using 67% of the cubic compression

χ = Di /( Do − 2to ) (circular CFDST)

briefly introduced. The topics covered in this paper strength (fcu).
include members subjected to static and dynamic loading, (2a)
fire resistance and residual strength after exposure to fire, χ = Di /( Bo − 2to ) (square CFDST) (2b)
effects of long-term loading.
χ=
Bi Di
( Bo − 2to )( Do − 2to )
(rectangular CFDST) (2c)
2. Members subjected to static loading
The authors performed a series of tests on the CFDST
columns subjected to static loading, including 37
specimens under axial compression, 13 specimens under Sandwiched concrete
bending and 42 specimens under eccentric compression,
respectively (Han et al., 2004; Tao et al., 2004; Tao and
Han, 2006; Tao and Yu, 2006).
It was found that the behaviour of the CFDST columns Outer tube Outer tube
is generally similar to that of the conventional CFST
columns. This is owing to the fact that, generally, the (a) Sandwiched concrete
section slenderness ratio of an inner steel tube is Inner tube
relatively small and it can provide sufficient support to
the sandwiched concrete. Otherwise, the premature local
buckling of inner steel tubes will have adverse effects on
the load-carrying and deformation capacities of CFDST Outer tube
Outer tube
columns.
Figures 2 (a), (b) and (c) show typical failure modes of (b) Inner steel tube
the circular, square and rectangular CFDST stub columns,
respectively (Han et al., 2009b). Figure 3 shows the Figure 3. Failure mode of CFDST beam
typical failure mode of a CFDST beam (Han et al, 2004).

factor (ξ) on the behaviour of CFDST columns is

As can be seen, the failure modes of the inner concrete The test results indicated the effect of the confinement
and outer tube of CFDSTs are generally similar to those
of conventional CFSTs. generally similar to that on the CFST columns (Tao and

Figure 4 shows the effect of the hollow ratio (χ) on the

Yu, 2006).

axial load (N) versus axial strain (ε) relations for typical

the N -ε curves of the CFDST columns show the same

circular CFDST columns. It can be seen that, in general,

(χ=0), except for that the member with a hollow ratio (χ)
changing trend as that of the conventional CFST column

designing a CFDST column, χ may be selected to be

of 0.80 shows a slightly lower ductility. Therefore, in

0.75 or smaller.

2000
χ=0.28 χ=0.51
(a) Circular (b) Square (c) Rectangular 1500
N (kN)

Figure 2. Failure modes of CFDST stub columns 1000 χ=0

χ=0.8
It was found that there are two key parameters 500

confinement factor (ξ) and the hollow ratio (χ), which

affecting the behaviour of CFDST stub columns, i.e. the
0

Aso ⋅ f yo
are defined in Eqs. (1) and (2), respectively. 0 10000 20000 30000
ξ= ε (με)
Ac, nominal ⋅ f ck
(1)

in which Aso is the cross-sectional area of the outer steel Figure 4. Effect of hollow ratio (χ) on N-ε relations
tube, Ac,nominal is the nominal cross-sectional area of the
concrete, and is equal to the hollow area inside the outer Apart from the experimental investigations, theoretical
steel tube, fyo is the yield strength of the outer steel tube,
models were also established to investigate the behaviour
of CFDSTs (Tao et al., 2004; Han et al., 2004; Tao and (2) Flexural strength
Yu, 2006). The flexural strength of CFDST (Mu) can be expressed as

M u = γ m1Wscm f scy + γ m2Wsi f yi

A fibre-based model, using the stress versus strain
relation of concrete core presented for conventional
CFSTs, was developed to predict the load versus
deformation responses of the CFDSTs (Tao et al., 2004;
Han et al., 2004; Tao and Yu, 2006). It assumed that the
inner tube acts as if it stands alone, but can develop its
full yielding strength for the presence of the sandwiched
concrete; and the outer tube and sandwiched concrete
exhibit the same behaviour as a fully filled CFST column
(Tao and Yu, 2006):
(6)
where Wscm is the section modulus of the outer steel tube
and the sandwiched concrete, Wsi is the plastic section
and Wsi are given in Tao and Yu (2006). γm1 andγm2 are
modulus of the inner tube, and the expressions of Wscm
calculating parameters and can be determined as follows:
γ m1 = 0.48 ln(ξ + 0.1)(−0.85χ 2 + 0.06 χ + 1) + 1.1
For circular CFDST:

γ m2 = −0.02 χ −2.76 ln ξ + 1.04 χ −0.67

without the presence of the voids. In other words, the
confinement state of the concrete is just the same as that
in the CFST column if the hollow section ratio is not too
γ m1 = 0.48 ln(ξ + 0.1)(−0.85χ 2 + 0.06 + 1) + 1.04 − 0.3χ 2
For square CFDST:
large. Good agreement was achieved between the

γ m2 = −0.04 χ −2.5 ln ξ + 1.04χ −0.8

predicted and the measured results.
Finite element (FE) model employing the ABAQUS
soft package, was also developed to perform a detailed
behaviour analysis for the CFDST columns, where the
(3) Member capacity
nonlinear material behaviour, nonlinear geometric
behaviour, and initial geometric imperfections were all The member capacity of CFDST columns (Nu,cr) can be
included. In general, the FE results are close to those calculated using the section capacity with a stability

N u,cr = ϕ ⋅ N u
predicted by the fibre-based model. However, more reduction factor (Tao and Yu, 2006), i.e.,
accurate predictions can be achieved using the FE (7)
modelling when the section slenderness ratio or the where φ is the stability reduction factor and can be
hollow ratio is relatively large. This is due to the fact that determined by Eq. (8).
⎧1.0 (λ ≤ λo )
⎪
the FE model could simulate the tube local buckling, and
give better predictions of the interaction between the ϕ = ⎨aλ2 + bλ + c (λo < λ ≤ λp ) (8)
⎪d (−0.23χ 2 + 1) /(λ + 35) 2 (λ > λ )
⎩
steel tubes and the sandwiched concrete.

where λ = L / i is the member slenderness ratio, in

Using the fibre-based model, parametric studies were p

conducted for CFDSTs, and design approach was derived.

It was found that the design formulae for the CFDSTs
I sc
could be obtained by modifying those for the CFSTs, and which L is the effective buckling length, i (= ) is
are given as following: Asc
the radius of gyration, Isc is the moment of inertia for

1 + (35 + 2λp − λo )e
(1) Sectional capacity CFDST cross-section;

a=
It assumed that the section capacity (Nu) of an CFDST
(λp − λo ) 2
stub column is the sum of the inner tube capacity (Ni,u) ;

b = e − 2 aλp ;
and the strength (Nosu,u) contributed by the outer tube

N u = N osc,u + N i,u
together with the concrete (Tao and Yu, 2006), i.e.:
c = 1 − aλo 2 − bλo ;
(3)

25 0.3 α n 0.05
d = [13000 + 4657 ln(
in which Ni,u=Asi·fyi, Asi and fyi are the cross-sectional area
235
f ck + 5
and yield strength of the inner steel tube respectively, )]( ) ( ) (circular),
f yo 0.1
25 0.3 α n 0.05
and Nosc,u is determined similarly to that of fully concrete
d = [13500 + 4810 ln(
filled steel tubular sections (Han, 2007):
N osc,u = f scy Asco
235
f ck + 5
)]( ) ( ) (square);
(4) f yo 0 .1
−d
e=
(λp + 35) 3
in which, Asco=Aso+Ac, Aso and Ac are cross-sectional .
areas of the outer steel tube and sandwiched concrete,
respectively.
in which, λp and λo can be given as follows:
⎧⎪1743 / f yo
For circular CFDST:
f scy = C1 χ 2 f yo + C2 (1.14 + 1.02ξ ) f ck (5a) λp＝⎨
circular)
⎪⎩ 1811/ f yo
;
For square CFDST: square
f scy = C1 χ 2 f yo + C2 (1.18 + 0.85ξ ) f ck ⎧⎪π / (420ξ + 550) / f scy
λ o ＝⎨
(5b)
where C1=α/(1+α), C2=(1+αn)/(1+α), α (=Aso/Ac) is steel
circular)
⎪⎩ π / (220ξ + 450) / f scy
ratio and αn (=Aso/Ac,nominal) is nominal steel ratio,
square)

respectively. where the unit for fscy and fck is N/mm2.


(4) Interactive curve
The interaction equation suggested by (Han, 2007) for
CFSTs can also be used for CFDST beam columns with
relevant capacities for CFDST defined in Eqs. (3) and (6).
The interaction curves were given here as (Tao and Yu,
3. Effect of long-term loading
Since CFDST columns under service loads in a building
or bridges will also suffer to the effects of creep and
shrinkage of the in-filled concrete, an experimental
investigation was conducted by Han et al. (2009c) to
study the effect of long-term loading. Six tests, including

when N/N u ≥ 2ϕ 3η o :
2006): two circular CFDSTs [shown in Figure 1 (a)], two square
CFDSTs [as shown in Figure 1 (b)], and two

+ ) =1
conventional CFSTs, were carried out under axial
ϕN u
N a M
( (9a) sustained long-term loading. These specimens were
d Mu
when N/N u < 2ϕ 3η o :
tested under two stages, including the long-term service
testing and ultimate load testing. In addition, ten CFDST

− b( ) − c( )+ ( ) =1
N 2 N 1 M and CFST specimens without experiencing long-term
(9b) loading were also tested to measure their ultimate loads
Nu Nu d Mu
where a = 1 − 2ϕ 2η o ;
for comparison purposes.

1− ζ 2(ζ o − 1) ;
b = 3 o2 , c =
ϕ ηo ηo 1500

d = 1 − 0.4(

Axial strain, ε o (με)

) (circular), d = 1 − 0.25(
N N 1200
) (square);
NE NE 900

π
NE =
2
Escelastic Asc 600

λ
elastic Measured
2
; Esc is elastic modulus of
300 Predicted

E ( A + Asi ) + Ec Ac
CFDST column and can be presented as: 0
Escelastic = s so 0 300 600 900 1200
Asc Time, t (day)
For circular CFDST:
ζ o = 1 + 0.18ξ −1.15
(a) Circular CFDST

⎧ 0.5 − 0.2445ξ (ξ ≤ 0.4)

ηo = ⎨
⎩0.1 + 0.14ξ (ξ > 0.4)
1500
−0.84
Axial strain, ε o (με)

1200
For square CFDST:
ζ o = 1 + 0.14ξ −1.3
900

⎧ 0.5 − 0.3175ξ (ξ ≤ 0.4)

ηo = ⎨
600 Measured

⎩0.1 + 0.13ξ (ξ > 0.4)

− 0.81
where Nu and Mu are the sectional capacity and flexural
strength of CFDST column respectively, and can be
calculated by Eqs. (3) and (6), respectively. Es and Ec are
the elastic modulus of steel and concrete, respectively.
The predicted stub column, beam and beam-column
strengths by the simplified models were compared with a
large amount of test results with a wide range of
parameters. A good agreement was obtained (Tao and Yu,
2006; Han et al., 2009b). The section slenderness limits
of the outer and inner steel tubes in a CFDST column
were determined as 1.5 and 1.0 times that of empty tubes
respectively, in order to prevent the premature local
buckling of them (Tao and Yu, 2006).
For rectangular CFDST shown in Figure 1 (c), it was
found that its sandwiched concrete in the gap have the
same behaviour as that in a fully in-filled steel tube (Tao
et al., 2006). Therefore, similar design philosophy can be
used for rectangular CFDSTs and the simplified formulae
for rectangular CFDSTs are basically the same as those
for square CFDSTs, except that different section modulus
of Wscm and Wsi should be used.
300 Predicted
0
0 300 600 900 1200
Time, t (day)
(b) Square CFDST
Figure 5. Time history of long-term deformation
The long-term service load tests started at 28 days
after concrete casting and lasted for 1050 days. Figures 5
(a) and (b) shows the axial strain ( o) versus sustaining
time (t) relations for typical circular and square
specimens, respectively. It was found that, under the
long-term sustained loading, the axial deformation
increased relatively fast at the preliminary stage with the
axial strain ( o) at 1 month attaining approximate 60% of
that at 4 months. After that, o developed much slower,
and the process is tending to stabilise after about one
year. This feature of the long-term deformation for
CFDST columns is generally similar to that for CFST
columns (Han et al., 2009c).
Figure 6 shows the effect of the long-term sustained
the non-dimensionalized ordinate βL is the ratio between
loading on the member capacity of CFDSTs, in which
the measured ultimate strengths of the member
experiencing long-term loading or not; n=(NL/Nue) is the
long-term sustained load level, NL is the sustained long-
term load and Nue is the ultimate strength of the CFDST
column at the short-term loading condition.
1.25
1
0.75
βL
0.5
0.25
0 Without long-term effects
Circular Square CFST
CFDST CFDST
Figure 6. βL of CFDST and CFST columns
It can be seen from Figure 6 that, in general, long-term
loading tended to decrease the ultimate strength of the
square CFDST columns, while the circular CFDST
columns even had a 7.4% strength increase on average
after experiencing the long-term loading. Generally, the
influence was less significant than that on conventional
CFST columns.
Li and Tao (2007) developed a theoretical model based
on fibre element analysis to predict the long-term
deformation of CFDST columns, as well as their ultimate
strength after subjecting to long-term loading. In this
model, the time-dependent behaviour of concrete was
predicted based on a model presented in ACI (1992).
Then the obtained long-term deformation was included
in the short-term loading model to predict the ultimate
strength of the CFDST member. Figure 5 shows the
comparisons of the calculated time history of long-term
deformations and the measured results for typical
CFDSTs. A good agreement was achieved between the
predicted and tested results.
An FE model, using ABAQUS soft package, was also
established by Han et al. (2009d) to investigate the
influence of the long-term loading on the behaviour of
CFDSTs. In the FE model, a material subroutine program
(UMAT) based on a visco-elasticity constitutive model
was adopted for simulating the concrete material with the
time effect considered, and then the damage plasticity
model provided in ABAQUS 6.5 was used to define the
concrete material to predict the ultimate strength of the
CFDST columns.
Figure 7 compares the axial load (N) versus lateral
deflection (um) at mid-height curves with long-term
effect considered or not (Han et al., 2009d). The curves
were calculated by finite element analysis for a typical
circular CFDST column. It was found that, long-term
loading tends to decrease the ultimate strength of the
CFDST column whilst increase the corresponding
deflection, shown in Figure 6. This is mainly owing to
the fact that, the increasing deformation caused by
concrete creep during the long-term loading tends to
generate additional second-order moment for the member,
resulting in the ultimate strength reduction and the
increased corresponding displacement (Han et al.,
2009d).
5000
4000
N (kN)
3000
2000
With long-term effects
1000
0
0 30 60 90 120 150
u m(mm)
Figure 7. Axial load versus lateral deflection curves
Based on the numerical model, an extensive
The effects of the changing concrete age time (τ0),
parametric analysis was performed by Li and Tao (2007).
ratio (αn), strength of the materials, diameter-to-
sustaining time (t), sustained load level (n), nominal steel
thickness ratio (Di/ti) of inner tube, hollow ratio (χ),
slenderness ratio (λ), and eccentricity ratio (e/r) on the
long-term deflection as well as the column strength were
discussed, and then a simplified model for design
purpose was derived. The ultimate strength of CFDST
column after experiencing long-term loading can be
obtained by revising the formula for CFSTs presented in
Han (2007), where a factor of Kχ can be multiplied to
consider the influence of hollow ratio (χ). The
expression of Kχ is given as following:
k χ = 0.65χ 2 − 0.45χ + 1
(10)
4. Beam columns subjected to cyclic loading
Han et al. (2006) reported a series of cyclic tests on
CFDST columns. The test parameters included the
(χ=0-0.77), and the axial load level (n=0-0.65). Twenty-
section types (circular and square), the hollow ratio
eight CFDST column specimens (including 16 circular
CFDSTs and 12 square CFDSTs) and five hollow steel
tubes were tested under constant axial loading and
cyclically increasing flexural loading.
Figure 8 presents the typical failure mode of a square
CFDST column. As the specimen attained its ultimate
strength, an outward bulge of the outer steel tube formed
a complete ring on each side of the rigid loading stub,
whilst an inward buckling for the inner steel tube and
crushing of the sandwiched concrete were also observed
at the same time. It seems that the failure features of the
CFDST specimens under cyclic loading were very
similar to those of CFST columns (Han et al., 2006).
 80

Outward buckling 40

P (kN)
0
(a) Specimen after testing
-40
Measured
Predicted
-80
Crushed concrete -60 -30 0 30 60
Δ (mm)

(b) Sandwiched concrete (b) Square CFDST

Figure 10. Typical P-Δ hysteretic curves of

CFDST columns
Inward buckling

(c) Inner steel tube From the test results, it was also found that, under a
same axial load level, the shape and the changing trend
of the hysteretic curves of the CFDSTs are generally
Figure 8. Failure mode of CFDST beam columns
of the hollow ratio (χ) for the CFDST columns.
similar to those of the CFSTs, regardless of the influence

Figure 11 shows the effect of the hollow ratio (χ) on

versus curvature (φ) and lateral load (N) versus lateral
Figures 9 and 10 present the measured moment (M)

deflection (Δ) hysteretic responses for typical CFDST

specimens. It was found that, the hysteretic curves of the
CFDSTs generally show a “plump shape” and no notable
pinching effect was observed, indicating good energy
dissipation ability of the specimens.
the P-Δ envelope curves (Han et al., 2009b). For
convenience of comparison, normalized lateral load
P/Pue was used in Figure 11, where Pue is the ultimate
load.
1.2

χ=0.54
18 1

χ=0
0.8
9
P /P ue

χ=0.30
M (kN·m)

0.6
0 Hollow
0.4 steel tube
-9 0.2
Measured
Predicted 0
-18
0 25 50 75 100
φ (1/m)
-0.12 -0.06 0 0.06 0.12
Δ (mm)

Figure 9. Typical M-φ hysteretic curve Figure 11. Effect of hollow ratio (χ) on
P-Δ envelope curves

It can be seen from Figure 11 that, hollow ratio (χ) has

60

a moderate influence on the P-Δ envelope curves, and the

P-Δ envelope curves of the CFDSTs and the CFST (χ=0)
30
P (kN)

are generally similar. Compared with the composite

0
members, the hollow steel tube shows a comparatively
lower ductility due to the absence of the in-filled
-30 concrete.
Measured
Predicted A numerical model was developed to predict the
-60 hysteretic curves of the CFDST columns, and a good
-120 -60 0 60 120 agreement was achieved between the predicted and the
Δ (mm)
measured results (Han et al., 2006). Figures 9 and 10
(a) Circular CFDST show the comparisons between the calculated hysteretic
curves and the test results for typical CFDST columns.
Based on the theoretical model, influence of the
changing axial load level (n), nominal steel ratio (an),
strength of outer steel tube (fyo), strength of inner steel M

ratio of inner steel tube (Di/ti) and hollow ratio (χ) on the
tube (fyi), strength of concrete (fcu), width to thickness

moment (M) versus curvature (φ) responses were

My A
discussed, and simplified models for the M-φ hysteretic
1 B C
MB

Figure 12(a) gives the M-φ hysteretic model for

relations were provided. D
4′ 2′
Ke
circular columns (Han et al., 2009a). Parameters shown 0.2My

φB φ
in this figure are described as follows:
(1) The stiffness in the elastic stage (Ke) is given by Han O
-0.2My
2
K e = Es I so + 0.6 Ec I c + Es I si
et al. (2006) and EC4 (2005)： 4
D′
(11)
C′ 3′ B′
1′
in which Iso, Isi, and Ic are the moment of inertia for the
outer steel tube, the inner steel tube and the core concrete, A′
respectively.
(2) Yielding moment (My) corresponding to point B. My

A1c + B1
can be calculated by
Figure 12. M-φ hysteretic models
(b) Square CFDST
My = f ( χ , n) M yu
( A1 + B1 )( pn + q)
(12)

where Myu is the ultimate moment of the composite beam Figure 12 (b) shows the M-φ hysteretic model for
columns under constant axial load level (n), and can be square columns (Han et al., 2009). Parameters used in
this model are as follows:
determined by using Eq. (9), the expressions of A1, B1, p,
(1) The stiffness in the elastic stage (Ke) is given by Han
q, c and f ( χ , n) are given by Han et al. (2009a).
K e = Es I so + 0.2 Ec I c + Es I si
et al. (2006) and AIJ (1997):
(16)
(3) The bending moment (Ms) corresponding to point A (2) The yielding moment (My) corresponding to point A
M s = 0.6 M y
in Figure 12(a) can be calculated by
M y = M yu f1 ( χ , n)
can be calculated by:
(13)
(4) The curvature (φy) corresponding to yielding moment
(17)
(3) Bending moment (MB) and curvature (φB)
φ y = 0.0135( f cu / 60 + 1)(1.51 − n) (14)
(My) can be calculated by corresponding to point B.
M B = M y (1 − n ) ko f 2 ( χ , n ) (18)
φB = 20φe (2 − n)(1 − 0.217 χ )
(5) The stiffness in the descending stage (Kp) can be
(19)
K p = α d0 K e where k o = (ξ + 0.4) −2
, φe = 0.544 f yo /( Es Bo ) , and the
calculated by
(15)
expressions of f1 ( χ , n) and f 2 ( χ , n) are provided in Han
where α d0 = α d / 1000 and α d = An 2 + Bn + C ,
et al. (2009a).
the expressions of A, B and C are presented in Han et al. Based on theoretical analysis, influence of the
(2009a). changing axial load level (n), nominal steel ratio (an),
strength of outer steel tube (fyo), strength of inner steel

ratio of inner steel tube (Di/ti) and hollow ratio (χ) on the
M tube (fyi), strength of concrete (fcu), width to thickness

lateral load (P) versus lateral deflection (Δ) responses

D B 4 C
My
Kp
Figure 13 presents the simplified P-Δ hysteretic model
3 11 were analysed.
Ms A
5′ 2′ which can be used for both circular and square CFDST
Ke
φy
beam-columns.
O φ Parameters as follows used in this model were
2 5 described in Han et al.(2009a), i. e. 1) Stiffness in the
A′
corresponding displacement (Δp); And 3) The stiffness in
elastic stage (Ka) ; 2) The ultimate strength (Py) and

1′ 3′ the descending stage (KT).

C′ 4′ B′ D′ In Figure 13, the lateral loads at points 2 and 2′ are
given by 0.2P1and -0.2P1, respectively. The lateral loads
at points 5 and 5′ are given by 0.2P4 and -0.2P4,
(a) Circular CFDST respectively.
 P CFDST columns were put forward.
3 B To evaluate the fire resistance of CFDST columns, a
Py
D 1 4 strength index (ks) is defined to quantify the strength of a
C CFDST column subjected to an ISO-834 standard fire on
A
5′
all sides. It is expressed as
2′
KT

Δp ks =
N u (t )
Ka (20)
Δu
Nu
Δ
O
where Nu(t) is the ultimate strength of the column at the
2
A′
5 fire duration time (t), Nu is the ultimate strength of the
column at ambient temperature and can be determined by
C′ D′
4′ 3′
using the formulae presented in Section 2 of this paper.
1′
B′
Obviously, ks decreases with an increase in fire duration
time. By using regression analysis, the following
expression was obtained:
ks = ( Ato2 + Bto + 1)k t
lateral deflection (Δ) relationship
Figure 13. A schematic view of a lateral load (P) versus
(21)

related to the hollow ratio (χ), and A = 0.13χ 2 + 0.03χ ,

where to=t/100, t is in min; A and B are the coefficients

5. Fire performance B = −0.4 χ 2 − 0.4 χ (circular), B = −0.41χ 2 − 0.13χ (square);

outside dimension (C), the slenderness ratio (λ) and the

A series of fire tests on CFDST columns were reported kt is a coefficient depending on the sectional type, the
by Lu et al. (2007). It was found that the fire resistance
of a CFDST is generally better than that of its CFST fire duration time (t), and can be expressed as follows
counterpart. This is mainly due to the fact that the inner (Yang and Han, 2008):
steel tube is protected by the sandwiched concrete and its For circular CFDST:
⎧ 1
⎪ t o ≤ t1
temperature rise is postponed, therefore the inner steel

⎪1 + at o
tube can undertake more redistributed internal force 2.5

⎪ 1
during the fire exposure (Yang and Han, 2008).
kt = ⎨ t1 < t o ≤ t 2
⎪ bt o + c
Figure 14 shows the appearances of a circular CFDST (22a)
column before and after subjected to ISO-834 standard
⎪kt o + d to > t2
⎪
fire (Lu et al., 2007). It was found that the failure mode

⎩
of the CFDST is generally similar to that of a CFST (Han
et al., 2009b).

For square CFDST:

⎧ 1
⎪1 + at 2 t o ≤ t1
⎪
⎪ 1
o

kt = ⎨ 2 t1 < t o ≤ t 2
⎪ bt o + c
(22b)

⎪kt + d to > t 2
⎪ o
⎩

in which, the expressions of a, b, c, d, k, t1 and t2 are

(a) Before testing (b) After testing
Figure 14.CFDST column before and after fire testing
Yang and Han (2008) successfully established a
theoretical model to predict the fire performance of
CFDST columns. This model was modified from a
model which was previously used to study the fire
resistance of conventional CFST columns. The proposed
model was used to examine the effects of several key
parameters on the fire resistance of CFDST columns.
Then, a design approach for evaluating the fire resistance
and calculating the fire protection material thickness of
presented by Yang and Han (2008).
The simplified model can predict the fire resistance of
CFDST columns with reasonable accuracy, and in
general, the predictions are somewhat conservative.
When the design load (N) applied to a CFDST column
is taken as 0.77Nu (i.e. nf=N/Nu=0.77), the column filled
with plain concrete without any fire protection usually
cannot achieve the desired fire resistance. The most
economical solution is to apply a layer of fire protection
material on the composite column. Based on numerical
analysis, the fire insulation thickness ( ) of CFDST
columns subjected to ISO-834 standard fire on all sides
was determined by five main parameters, i.e. the fire
load level (nf), the sectional type, the outside dimension
(C), the slenderness ratio (λ), the fire resistance (R), and
the hollow ratio (χ). By a regression analysis, the
exposure is the same as that observed in conventional
CFST columns.
following expression was obtained:

δ = k ho k LR (19.2 R + 9.6)C −(0.28−0.0019λ )

For circular CFDST:
2000
(23a)
For square CFDST: 1500
−5 λ2 )
δ = k ho k LR (149.6 R + 22)C −( 0.42+0.0017 λ −2×10

N (kN)
(23b) 1000

in which R is in hour, kho and kLR can be expressed as: 500 Without fire exposure

k ho = exp[(αλ2o + βλ o + γ ) χ 2 ] ;
With fire exposure
0

ε (με)
0 10000 20000 30000 40000
⎧(nf − k s ) /(0.77 − k s ) (k s < nf < 0.77)
⎪ (k s < 0.77)
= ⎨1 /(3.695 − 3.5nf ) (nf ≥ 0.77)
⎪⎩ω (nf − k s ) /(1 − k s ) (k s ≥ 0.77)
k LR (a) Circular CFDST
2000
where ks is the strength index of the CFDST columns
1500
subjected to fire on all sides [Eq. (20)] and is equal to

N (kN)
zero when it is less than zero; nf is the fire load level, α,
β, γ and ω are the coefficients related to the fire
1000

500 Without fire exposure

resistance (R) and can be determined according to Yang
With fire exposure
and Han (2008). 0

ε (με)
0 5000 10000 15000 20000
6. Behaviour after exposure to fire
If a CFDST column was damaged by fire, it would be
necessary to evaluate its residual strength and find the (b) Square CFDST
Figure 16. Effect of fire exposure on N-ε relations
best solution for post-fire repair. In this regard, Yu et al.
(2009) carried out a series of tests to investigate the post-
fire behaviour of CFDST stub columns.
7. Concluding remarks
Figure 15 compares two typical CFDST stub columns
This paper briefly summarises some recent research
with fire exposure or not. It was found that the fire
outcomes of CFDST members presented by the authors
exposure had no apparent influence on the failure modes
and their collaborators.
(Yu et al., 2009).
concluded that, when the hollow ratio (χ) of a CFDST is
From the experimental and numerical results, it can be

within the normal range of 0-0.5, the CFDST generally

(a) Without fire exposure (b) With fire exposure
Figure 15. CFDST columns with fire exposure or not
demonstrates a similar behaviour as that of a CFST,
whilst the fire resistance of the CFDST is superior to that
of the latter.
Apart from the research results reported in this paper,
ongoing numerical study is being carried out to analyse
the post-fire behaviour of CFDST columns. Repair
approach will be further recommended. The authors also
believe that there is immediate research need to put
forward suitable beam-to-column connections for
CFDST columns, in which the load can be transferred
and shared by the three components simultaneously.
Durability is also a key issue need to be studied further
for this type of composite construction.

Figure 16 shows the effect of fire exposure on N-ε 8. Acknowledgments

relations. As can be seen, both the ultimate strength and
the stiffness of the CFDST specimens decrease
significantly owing to the fire exposure. However, the
post-peak curves of the undamaged specimens are much
steeper compared with those of the damaged specimens
(Yu et al., 2009). As expected, this effect of fire
The study is financially supported by the Research
Foundation of the Ministry of Railways and Tsinghua
University RFMOR & THU (NO.J2008G011) and
the National Basic Research Program of China (973
Program) (Grant No. 2009CB623200).
References concrete-filled double skin (CHS inner and CHS
Architectural Institute of Japan (AIJ). (1997). outer) steel tubular stub columns and beam-columns”,
“Recommendations for design and construction of Journal of Constructional Steel Research, Vol.60, No.8,
concrete filled steel tubular structures”, Tokyo, Japan. 1129-1158.
Eurocode 4. (2005). “Design of steel and concrete Tao Z. and Yu Q. (2006). “New types of composite
structures, Part1.1, general rules and rules for columns-experiments, theory and methodology.”,
building”, Brussels (Belgium): European Committee Beijing: Science Press. [in Chinese].
for Standardization. Wei S., Mau S.T., Vipulanandan C. and Mantrala S.K.
Han L.H. (2007). “Concrete filled steel tubular structures (1995). “Performance of new sandwich tube under
(Second edition)”, Beijing: China Science Press. [in axial loading: experiment”, Journal of Structural
Chinese]. Engineering, ASCE, Vol.121, No.12, 1806-1814.
Han L.H., Huang H., Tao Z. and Zhao X.L. (2006). Yagishita F., Kitoh H., Sugimoto M., Tanihira T. and
“Concrete-filled double skin steel tubular (CFDST) Sonoda K. (2000). “Double skin composite tubular
beam-columns subjected to cyclic bending”, columns subjected to cyclic horizontal force and
Engineering Structures, Vol.28, No.12, 1698–714. constant axial force”, In: Proceedings of the Sixth
Han L.H., Huang H. and Zhao X.L. (2009a). “Analytical International Conference on Steel and Concrete
behaviour of concrete-filled double skin steel tubular Composite Structures, USA, 497–503.
(CFDST) beam-columns under cyclic loading”, Thin- Yang Y. F and Han L.H. (2008). “Concrete-filled double-
Walled Structures, Vol.47, No.6-7, 668-680. skin tubular columns under fire”, Magazine of
Han L.H., Li Y.J., Liao F.Y. and Tao Z. (2009c). Concrete Research, Vol.60, No.3, 211–222.
“Influence of Long-Term Loading on the Performance Yu X., Tao Z., Han L.H. and UY B. (2009). “Residual
of Concrete-Filled Double Skin Steel Tubular Strength of Concrete-Filled Double-Skin Steel Tubular
Columns: Experiments”, Proceedings of the 6th Stub Columns after Exposure to Fire”, Proceedings of
International Conference on Advances in Steel the 9th International Conference on Steel Concrete
Structures (ICASS’ 09), Hong Kong. (in press). Composite and Hybrid Structures, Leeds, UK, 483-
Han L.H., Li Y.J., Liao F.Y. and Tao Z. (2009d). 488.
“Analysis of Long-Term Loading on the Performance Zhao X.L. and Grzebieta R.H. (2002). “Strength and
of Concrete-Filled Double Skin Steel Tubular ductility of concrete filled double skin (SHS inner and
Columns”, Proceedings of the 4th International SHS outer) tubes”, Thin-Walled Structures, Vol.40,
Conference on Protection of Structures against No.2, 199-213.
Hazards (PSH-09), Beijing, P.R. China. Zhao X.L. and Han L.H. (2006). “Double skin
Han H.L., Tao Z., Huang H. and Zhao X.L. (2004). construction”, Progress in Structural Engineering and
“Concrete-filled double skin (SHS outer and CHS Materials, Vol.8, No.3, 93-102.
inner) steel tubular beam-columns”, Thin-Walled
Structures, Vol.42, No.9, 1329-1355.
Han L.H., Tao Z., and Wang W.D. (2009b). “Advanced
composite and mixed structures-testing, theory and
design approach”, Beijing: China Science Press. [in
Chinese].
Li Y.J. and Tao Z. (2007). “Behavior of concrete-filled
double skin steel tubular columns subjected to long-
term sustained loads”, Industrial Construction, Vol.37,
No.12, 22-27. [in Chinese].
Lin M.L. and Tsai K.C. (2001). “Behaviour of double-
skinned composite steel tubular columns subjected to
combined axial and flexural loads”, In: First
International Conference on Steel & Composite
Structures, Pusan, Korea, 1145–1152.
Lu H., Zhao X.L. and Han L.H. (2007). “Experimental
investigation on fire performance of self-consolidating
concrete (SCC) filled double skin tubular columns”,
Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on
Advances in Steel Structures (ICASS’ 07), Singapore,
973–978.
Tao Z. and Han L.H. (2006) “Behaviour of concrete-
filled double skin rectangular steel tubular beam–
columns”, Journal of Constructional Steel Research,
Vol.62, No.7, 631-646.
Tao Z., Han L.H. and Zhao X.L. (2004). “Behaviour of