Experimental study of UHPC-encased CFST stub columns under axial compression

A novel composite structural member, UHPC-encased concrete-filled steel tubular (UC-CFST) column, is proposed in this study to address the shortcomings of the ordinary concrete-encased CFST (OC-CFST) columns. A total of 22 specimens subjected to axial compression loading were tested, including nine UC-CFST stub columns, nine OC-CFST stub columns, and four CFST stub columns. The experimental results showed that the encasing UHPC of UC-CFST columns was less damaged than the encasing ordinary concrete of OC-CFST columns and did not spall when the UHPC was crushed. The UC-CFST stub columns reached their ultimate load-bearing capacity when the encasing UHPC attained the peak compressive strain, which was much greater than that of the OC-CFST stub columns. Compared to the OC-CFST stub columns, the ultimate load-bearing capacity of UC-CFST stub columns improved markedly by 75%–289% and the compressive stiffness increased by 22%–49%, while the ductility decreased by about 50% on average. Furthermore, increasing the area ratio of the encased CFST in the UC-CFST stub columns was unfavorable for the compressive stiffness and load-ultimate bearing capacity. Finally, by comparing the different calculation methods for ultimate load-bearing capacity of OC-CFST columns recommended by Chinese standard CECS 188, American standard AISC 360, Japanese standard AIJ-SRC, and European standard Eurocode 4, it was found that the calculation methods applicable to OC-CFST columns would underestimate the ultimate load-bearing capacity of UC-CFST columns to varying degrees. Thus, a modified calculation formula based on the CECS 188 standard was proposed for accurate prediction of the ultimate load-bearing capacity of the UC-CFST stub columns.