Finite element analysis of composite steel-concrete columns

A finite element analysis of strength determined from 150 physical tests of rectangular composite steel-concrete columns taken from the published literature was undertaken. The columns used for this study were braced and pin-ended and were constructed using normal strength concrete with a specified compressive strength between approximately 2500 and 8100 psi (17.2 and 55.8 MPa). The columns were subjected to short-term loads producing pure axial force, combined axial force and symmetrical single curvature bending, or pure bending. Major variables included the concrete strength, the end eccentricity ratio, the slenderness ratio, the structural steel index, and the tie/hoop volumetric ratio. The study provides a critical review of the reliability of the finite element modeling method examined.