Study on Behavior of RPC Filled Steel Tubular Stub Columns Under Axial Compression

Reactive powder concrete (RPC) with compressive strength higher than 170 MPa was prepared by using ordinary Portland cement, silica fume, ground granulated blast-furnace slag or fly ash. RPC shows high strength, constant Poisson’s ratio, high compressive peak strain but post-peak brittle failure. Based on the RPC mechanical behavior study, investigation of the interaction between steel tubes and core RPC was performed, in view of its effect on the bearing capacity and deformability of RPC filled steel tubular (RPCFT) stub columns subjected to axial loading. RPCFT stub columns have very high ductility and alleviate the RPC disadvantage of brittle failure. However, the confinement effect of steel tubes on RPC is lower than that of normal strength concrete and thus, it can be neglected during the design process for convenience and safety.