Abstract
The current study focuses on the compressive performance of circular CFST columns, considering key factors such as concrete compressive strength, loading rate, and the diameter-to-thickness ratio. Initially, an M30 grade concrete mixture was used to form concrete cylinders, which were subjected to a compressive test after 28 days of curing. The resulting stress-strain relationships were utilized to develop non-linear models for concrete damage plasticity. Numerical simulations were then performed to predict the behavior of these columns, with results compared to the experimental data for validation. To further improve the strength of the columns, steel tubes of varying thicknesses (1, 3, and 5 mm) were introduced around the concrete core. The study found that increasing the steel tube thickness significantly raised the initial cracking load and overall strength, with the increase in stiffness allowing for a reduction in column diameter while maintaining structural integrity. This approach demonstrates the potential of using CFSTs with optimized steel tube thickness for enhanced performance in construction applications.
