Numerical analysis on structural behaviors of concrete filled steel tube reinforced concrete (CFSTRC) columns subjected to 3-side fire

The structural behaviors of concrete filled steel tube reinforced concrete (CFSTRC) columns, which were exposed to a 3-side fire were discussed by using the non-linear finite element analysis (FEA) software ABAQUS. Details of the temperature distribution, fire resistance, failure modes, redistribution of internal force, contact stress between the steel tube and the concrete (both inside and outside of the steel tube), and the development of stress and strain within the CFSTRC columns subjected to a 3-side fire were revealed. The factors that may have affected the fire resistance of the CFSTRC columns exposed to three-side fire were analyzed. Based on the above research, the present study observed uniaxial symmetry on the cross-sectional thermal distribution of the CFSTRC, wherein a significantly lower temperature on the unexposed side was observed as compared to the exposed side. The two side verges of the surface, which were not exposed to fire, exhibited the lowest temperature. Following the end of the heating, the maximum temperature difference reached about 1065oC. The large temperature difference would bring non-uniform thermal stress and strain, and accidental eccentricity. In addition, the existence of concrete inside and outside of the steel tube prevented the steel tube from occurring local buckling, and the failure modes of CFSTRC columns acted as overall bucking. Parameters such as the fire load ratio, sectional dimension, slenderness ratio, sectional core area ratio, and external concrete compression strength significantly influenced the fire resistance of the CFSTRC columns. Finally, a simplified calculating formula was proposed to calculate the fire resistance influence factors of the CFSTRC columns subjected to three-sid fire. The formula-calculated results were well in agreement with the finite element analysis results, thereby providing a simple and feasible method for evaluating the fire-resistance design of these types of components in practical engineering.