Comparative Study on Behaviour of CFST and CES Columns Using ABAQUS Software

The composite construction has always been the area of interest for structural engineers as the use of two or more material to make one structural member have always proved to be beneficial. The concrete-filled steel tubes (CFST) and concrete-encased steel (CES) columns are gaining popularity and have been adopted for the construction of high rise buildings. In the present work, CFST columns and CES columns subjected to axial compression were analysed. The columns are assumed to be having fixed-free end and the loads were applied on the loading plate for even distribution of loads. The circular, square and rectangular shapes of columns are considered. CFST columns were considered for varying steel tube thickness of 3 mm, 5 mm and 7 mm, and the I-section selected was ISMB 100 for CES columns. CFST and CES columns were analysed separately. The behaviour of these columns and their ductility was studied. The analysis was carried out using the finite element software ABAQUS. The modelling and meshing were done in the software and analysed. The loads versus deformation graphs are plotted for each column. The ductility factor and load carrying capacity for all CES and CFST columns are compared. The circular CFST column with 7 mm tube thickness was found to be the better in terms of ductility and load carrying capacity.