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Concrete-filled double skin steel tubular columns with large hollow ratios (LHR-CFDST), as quintessential elements within offshore wind turbine structures, have received significant attention in contemporary times. As the scale of this type of structure continues to expand, an effective strategy to reduce steel consumption involves elevating the diameter-to-thickness (D/t) ratios of the steel tubes. Presently, there is a dearth of studies that explore the performance of LHR-CFDST columns in the case of thin-walled inner steel tubes. Four LHR-CFDST columns with varying D/t ratios of the inner tubes and one double-skin hollow steel tubular column were produced and tested under axial compression. The study encompassed an investigation into failure modes, local buckling behaviors, and ductility characteristics. The local buckling performance index of specimens with varying D/t ratios differed by up to 16.9%. Furthermore, the verified finite element model was subsequently employed for mechanistic analyses pertaining to the sandwiched concrete's stress distributions, and so on. When the peak loads were attained, the maximum variation in the stress values of the concrete of the specimens with different D/t ratios reached 50.4%. Subsequently, a multi-parameter impact analysis was applied to give a reasonable limit on the D/t ratio (225) of the inner steel tube for engineering design. Finally, the prevailing ultimate strength formulas outlined in established specifications were adapted by integrating the characteristics uncovered through this investigation. • Thin-walled inner tubes have a significant effect on CFDST with large hollow ratios • Inner tube's D/t ratio is positively correlated with the local buckling • Stress distribution and contact stresses in concrete are inextricably linked to the inner tube's D/t ratio • Multi-parameter impact analysis gives a reasonable limit of the D/t ratio for design • The equation considering the effect of buckling predict the CFDST columns with thin-walled inner tubes more accurately [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concrete-filled double skin steel tubular columns with large hollow ratio (LHR-CFDST) have been commonly used in recent years. With the increasing size of the engineering structures, one efficient way to decrease the consumption of steel is to increase the diameter-to-thickness ratio. Few studies have been conducted to report on thin-walled LHR-CFDST columns. At the same time, local buckling may occur in these structures in the absence of stiffening measures. Based on this, an experimental and numerical analysis was carried out for the stiffened thin-walled LHR-CFDST columns under axial compression in this paper. Five thin-walled LHR-CFDST columns with different stiffening measures (ribs, studs) were tested. The failure modes, load versus shortening curves, local buckling behaviours and ductility were investigated. The test results indicates that the stiffened measures effectively delayed the appearance of local buckling and increased the peak load. Besides, the finite element models validated by the test results were applied to the subsequent mechanical mechanism analysis of the stiffened thin-walled LHR-CFDST. It can be seen that the stiffened measures enhance the confinement of the inner and outer steel tubes on the concrete and greatly improve the ultimate strength of the concrete. Finally, the predicted peak load formulae in the existing design specifications were modified by combining the characteristics of the specimens in this paper. The peak load values obtained by the improved formulae agreed well with the test results. • Five thin-walled CFDST columns with different stiffening forms (ribs, studs) were tested under axial compression. • The effects of stiffeners on the local buckling and peak load of specimens were revealed. • The validated finite element model was developed to further analyze the structural mechanisms. • The interaction between steel tubes and concrete were investigated. • The predicted peak load formulae in the existing design specifications were modified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Steel tubes adopted in wind turbine towers generally sustain the combination of compression, bending, and torsion loads. The study of compressive behavior is crucial for investigating the combined bearing capacity of the tower and proposing the corresponding design method. Local buckling tends to affect compressive behavior due to the large diameter-to-thickness ratios of the tubes. Thus, the authors proposed a new form of tower based on longitudinally stiffened steel tubes, which were experimentally and analytically studied in this paper. A total of six tube specimens (four stiffened ones and two unstiffened ones) were tested under axial compression. The experimental results indicate that the local buckling of the tube can be substantially prevented by stiffeners and the T-type stiffener exhibits a superior effect. Finite element models were built and validated by the test results, and the parametric analysis was conducted, indicating that the diameter-to-thickness ratio of the steel tube, the yield strength of steel, and the proportion of stiffener area are the prime sensitive parameters affecting the ultimate strength. Ultimate compressive strength prediction methods in design specifications were evaluated. A practical method for calculating the ultimate strength of stiffened steel tubes was subsequently developed in this paper. • Six steel tube specimens with different stiffener types and diameter-thickness ratios were tested under axial compression. • Finite element models were established and validated by the test results. • Parametric analysis was conducted and the prime sensitive parameters affecting the ultimate strength were presented. • The applicability of calculation methods suggested by several specifications was evaluated. • The calculation method for the ultimate axial compressive strength was proposed by parametric and regression analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Steel tubes with large diameter-thickness ratios are widely used in tubular steel towers of wind turbines. These steel tubes are susceptible to local buckling under compression-bending load, thus leading to a failure of the overall structures. In this paper, a new structural form of steel tubes with longitudinal stiffeners was proposed. Six specimens were tested to study the effects of stiffeners forms and diameter-thickness ratios of steel tubes. Finite element models were compared and validated by test results and used to further study the structural mechanisms. Lastly, the ultimate strength of specimens was evaluated by existing design guidelines preliminarily. According to the results, by setting stiffeners, especially the T-type stiffeners under the same consumption of the steel, the local buckling was prevented and the plastic deformability of the steel tubes was increased, resulting in the great enhancement of ultimate strength and ductility. The limits of quantity and width-thickness ratio of stiffeners to obtain a more stable and significant improvement effect were suggested through parametric analysis. The current methods agree well with the test results of unstiffened steel tubes but might be inaccurate for stiffened steel tubes. • Six specimens with different stiffener types and diameter-thickness ratios were tested under compression-bending load. • The finite element models were compared and validated by test results and used to further study the structural mechanisms. • The effects of stiffeners on the compression-bending behavior of steel tubes were revealed. • The limits of quantity and width-thickness ratio of stiffeners to obtain a significant effect were suggested. • The applicability and accuracy of the calculating methods in existing design guidelines were preliminarily evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thin-walled steel tubes have been widely used in wind turbine towers. These towers are commonly subjected to combined compression-bending-torsion loads; thus, the steel tubes are prone to local buckling. Installing stiffeners has proven an effective method to improve the local stability of the thin-walled members. This paper presents an experimental and analytical study of thin-walled steel tubes strengthened by longitudinal stiffeners. Six specimens with different types of stiffeners and various diameter-thickness ratios were tested under a combined compression-bending-torsion load. The failure modes, load–displacement relationships, ultimate strength, and deformability were revealed. The validated finite element model was used to analyze the structural mechanisms of the stiffened steel tubes. The results show that stiffeners can substantially alleviate the local buckling of steel tubes, significantly improving their ultimate strength and plastic deformability. In addition, T-type stiffeners perform better than I-type stiffeners. The ultimate strength of the specimens is preliminarily evaluated using the methods recommended in existing design guidelines. The calculated ultimate strength of the unstiffened specimens shows a good agreement with the test results, whereas the ultimate strength of the stiffened specimens is underestimated. • Six specimens with different stiffener types and diameter-thickness ratios were tested under combined load. • The validated finite element model was developed to further analyze the structural mechanisms of the stiffened steel tubes. • The effects of stiffeners on the static behavior of steel tubes were revealed. • The applicability of the design methods recommended by the existing design guidelines was preliminarily evaluated. • The reasonable stiffener type and stiffening position were suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]