Effect of bolted shear connectors on the axial load-bending moment interaction capacity of CFT columns. (February 2021) - Ami, Masoud
Abstract: In Concrete-Filled Tubular (CFT) columns under the influence of compressive loading, an omnilateral confinement pressure is exerted upon the concrete core which leads to increase in the strength, stiffness, and ductility of the column. This paper investigates the influence of bolted shear connectors on the behavior of circular and square CFT columns. Also, a comparison is made between the interactional axial load-bending moment (P–M) curves obtained from the numerical analyses and the P–M relationships put forth by different design standards. For this purpose, 18 circular and 9 square CFT columns, categorized into six groups, are subjected to eccentric compressive loading. The investigated parameters include concrete compressive strength, diameter of the steel tube, load eccentricity, and the presence of bolted shear connector. In most cases, the presence of bolted shear connectors in the column causes strength and ductility to increase, leading to an improvement in the axial load-bending moment (P–M) interaction. The employment of bolted shear connectors at 12.5 cm to 25 cm intervals results in a minimum of 5% and a maximum of 45% increase in the strength of the column.