Bond-slip behaviour of concrete filled double skin steel tubular (CFDST) columns

This paper provides novel results and key findings for the bond-slip field since there is no single study available in the literature conducted on the bond-slip behaviour of concrete filled double skin steel tubular (CFDST) columns. Likewise, no studies have been focused on the contribution of welded reinforcing bars on the bond behaviour of composite columns. A series of push-out tests on sixteen specimens of CFDST columns are presented to explore the bond-slip behaviour between the cross-sectional elements (the inner steel tube, outer steel tube and the shell concrete). The primary test parameters involve (a) interface type (normal interface, interface with an internal ring, with reinforcing bars, and with shear studs); (b) concrete strength (high strength concrete and normal strength concrete); (c) push-out type (push-out of the shell concrete and push-out of the inner tube). The results demonstrated that greater benefits arose on the bond strength, once the reinforcing bars or internal rings were welded onto the inner steel tube of CFDST columns. Moreover, in addition to remarkably improving the bond strength, the welded reinforcement bars would significantly improve the compressive strength of CFDST columns and eliminate the local buckling of the inner steel tube. On the other hand, the embedded shear studs (bolts) onto inner steel tubes are capable of improving the bond strength with less degree of the shear resistance in comparison with the other interface types. What's more, the current paper is also adapted to explore the influence of concrete grade (normal and high strength) on the bond performance of CFDST columns and it is showed that the bond strength increases considerably as the strength of the shell concrete is increased. Finally, the bond improvement ratio (BIR) is studied which could be a representative index in comparing the performances of the parameters on the bond behaviour.