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EC4 - Design of Composite Columns
EC4 - Design of Composite Columns
1
CONTENT
1. Introduction…………………………………………………………....................3
4. Reference……………………………………………………………………......21
2
1. Introduction
The combination of structural steel and concrete in one bearing system is the basis of
composite structures. Nowadays the composite slabs, composite beams and composite
columns are widely used in many countries.
Concrete encased columns generally fulfill the technical requirements for high classes
of fire protection without any additional measures. They can be easily strengthened by
reinforcing bars in the concrete cover. However, they do not present an accessible
structural steel surface for later fastenings and attractive surface treatment. This type
of composite column is the preferred form for seismic-resistant structures. Under
severe flexural overload, concrete encasement cracks resulting in reduction of
stiffness while the steel core can continue providing shear capacity and ductile
resistance to subsequent cycles of overload.
3
Concrete-filled column is used for bridge piers subject to impact from traffic, columns
to support storage tanks, decks of railways, column in high-rise building and as piles
for foundations. In concrete-filled hollow sections, the longitudinal reinforcement
may be not necessary, if design for fire resistance is not required.
Partly concreted-encased columns have high fire resistance, which is due to that the
concrete part prevents the inner steel parts - structural steel as well as reinforcing bars
from heating up too fast. Another significant advantage is that some of the steel
surfaces remain exposed and can be used for connection to other beams.
The basic buckling modes of steel and composite column are illustrated in Fig.2. In
the case of concrete-filled steel tubular column, concrete inside the tube prevents
inward-buckling modes of the steel tube wall, and the tube-wall in turn provides
effective lateral confinement to the concrete inside the tube.
Typical example of load-average strain curves for a steel and concrete-filled column
are shown in Fig.3.
The unloading response of the tubes becomes rapid in case of composite columns,
4
with increasing tube wall slenderness due to local buckling. The response of
composite tube is similar to that for the bare steel tube. The hysteretic loops in the
concrete filled column were relatively narrow in early cycles, and then become wider
at the later cycles due to strain hardening in the post-ultimate region. The maximum
strength is obtained at about a strain 0f 0.2% in the steel box columns and in the range
of 0.3-0.4% in the concrete-filled columns. Obviously, the maximum strength of
concrete-filled columns was much larger than those of the steel columns. Therefore, it
can be calculated that the concrete-filled column shows good structural performance
through ductility and high strength.
There are many advantages associated with the use of composite columns
(1) High load capacity with small cross-section and economic material use
(2) Simple connection to other members, as for steel construction
(3) Possibility of plastic deformation and ductile behavior
(4) Good fire resistance
(5) High resistance to compressive stresses
(6) Reduced the risk of local buckling of the steel section
(7) Advantages in fabrication
For concrete-filled hollow section columns, there are some more special advantages
(1) Steel is placed in its most effective position at the edge of cross-section
(2) Concrete works at higher stresses because of the confinement provided by
the steel tubes
(3) Fire protection is not usually needed, as the concrete core provides good fire
resistance
(4) The steel section serves as formwork during casting
The Eurocode 4 gives six typical cross-sections of composite columns. See Fig.4.
5
Fig.4 Typical cross-sections of composite columns
A composite column must be designed for the ultimate limit state. The internal
stresses and moments resulting from the most unfavorable load combination may at
no point of the structure exceed the bearing capacity of the cross-section. Effects of
deformation (p-∆ effects) as well as creeping and shrinkage must be considered if
they are significant. The influence of residual stresses and initial deformations must
be considered and reductions of stiffness due to cracking of the concrete in the tensile
area as well as yield of the steel have to be taken into account.
Problems due to local and of overall stability must be prevented. Complete bond up to
failure may be assumed.
Exact allowance for all these requirements is only possible with complex computer
programs, which operate non-linearly and incrementally. For practical design,
simplification must be made so that design can be carried out with minimum effort.
The first is a General Method which takes explicit account of both second-order
effects and imperfections. This method can in particular be applied to columns of
asymmetric cross-section as well as to columns whose section varies with height. It
requires the use of numerical computational tools, and can be considered only if
6
suitable software is available.
The second is a Simplified Method which makes use of the European buckling curves
for steel columns, which implicitly take account of imperfections. This method is
limited in application to composite columns of bisymmetric cross-section which does
not vary with height.
For the determination of resistance, the following partial safety factors have to be
applied for the different materials:
fy
Thus f yd =
γ a is the design value of yield strength of the structural steel
fs
f sd = is the design value of yield strength of the reinforcement
γs
fc
f cd = is the design value of yield strength of the concrete
γc
The scope of this simplified method is limited to members of doubly symmetrical and
uniform cross-section over the member length. This method is not applicable if the
component consists of two or more unconnected sections. The following conditions
should also be fulfilled when use this simplified method.
7
0 .2 ≤ δ ≤ 0 .9 (1)
Aa f yd
δ= (2)
N pl . Rd
Aa is the cross-section area of the structural steel section
fyd is the design value for the yield strength of the structural steel
Npl.Rd is the plastic resistance to compression of the composite cross-section
_
(2) The relative slenderness λ
_ N pl . Rd
λ= ≤ 2.0 (3)
N cr
Npl.Rd is the plastic resistance of composite section to compression
Ncr is the elastic critical normal force for the buckling mode
π 2 ( EI ) eff
N cr = (4)
L2 b
Lb is the buckling length of the column
(EI)eff is the effective flexural stiffness of the composite cross-section
( EI ) eff = Ea I a + Es I s + 0.6 Ecm I c (5a)
where Ia, Is and Ic are respectively the second moment of area for structural
steel section, reinforcing steel section and the uncracked concrete section.
The coefficient 0.6 for the stiffness of the concrete section takes cracking
into account.
The effective flexural stiffness (EI)eff.II of the composite cross-section is used to
determinate the internal force and second-order effects.
( EI ) eff . II = 0.9( E a I a + E s I s + 0.5 Ecm I c ) (5b)
For a fully encased steel section, see Fig.5, limits to the minimum and maximum
thickness of concrete cover that may be used in calculation are:
40mm ≤ c z ≤ 0.3h
40 mm ≤ c y ≤ 0.4b
The ratio of the cross-section’s depth hc to width bc, see Fig.5, should be within the
limits 0,2 ≤ hc / bc ≤ 5.0.
8
Fig.5 Encased sections
For sections completely encased in concrete, local buckling need not be checked.
The other types of cross-sections must have certain minimum wall thicknesses in
order to prevent local buckling before reaching the ultimate loads of the system. This
can be ensured by maintaining a certain limit ratio of depth to thickness of the section.
Using the notation of Table.1
Table.1 Maximum values (d/t), (h/t) and max (b/tf) with fy in N/mm2
Circular hollow
max (d/t ) = 90 ε 2
steel sections
Rectangular hollow
max (h/t ) = 52 ε
steel sections
Partially encased
I-sections
max (b/t f ) = 44 ε
9
2.3.4 Second-order effect
The influence of second order effects may be neglected in the analysis of bending
moments for braced and non-sway systems, provided that:
(1) the normal force NEd is smaller than 10% of the critical load Ncr
N Ed
≤ 0.1 (6)
N cr .eff
Ncr.eff is the critical normal force calculated using effective stiffness (EI)eff.II
λ ≤ 0.2(2 − r ) (7)
If the conditions above are not satisfied, second-order should be taken into account by
multiplying the maximum first order bending moment by a factor k:
β
k= ≥ 1.0 (8)
1 − N Ed N cr .eff
For columns with transverse loading within the column length the value for β
must be taken as 1.0. For pure end moments, β can be determined from:
10
β = 0.66 + 0.44r ≥ 0.44 (9)
The plastic resistance to axial force is give by Eq.(10), which includes the individual
resistances of the steel profile, the concrete and the reinforcement.
For fully or partially concrete-encased steel section:
N pl . Rd = Aa f yd + 0.85 Ac f cd + As f sd (10)
For concrete-filled hollow sections the coefficient 0.85 should be replaced by 1.0.
This increase is due to the state of tri-axial compressive stresses in concrete resulting
from the confinement provided by the steel section.
For composite column with circular hollow sections (CHS), account may be taken of
increase in strength of concrete caused by confinement provided that the relative
slenderness λ does not exceed 0.5 and e/d<0.1, where e is the eccentricity of
loading given by MEd/NEd and d is the external diameter of the column. The plastic
resistance to axial force Npl.Rd can be calculated from the following expression:
t fy
N pl .Rd = η a Aa f yd + Ac f cd 1 + η c + As f sd (11)
d f ck
where the coefficient ηa and ηc depend on the eccentricity e of the normal force N
and relative slenderness as given from Eq.(12a) to Eq.(12f)
– For members with e=0
For members in pure axial compression, the design value of NEd should satisfy the
buckling condition
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N Ed
≤ 1.0 (13)
χ ⋅ N pl . Rd
χ is the reduction factor, for the relevant buckling mode given in terms of
the slenderness, column section type and the relevant buckling curve. Eurocode 4
has adopted the European buckling curve a, b and c (see Fig.7), which are
originally established for bare steel column (Eurocode 3)
The factor α is used here to allow for imperfections in the cross-sections. Table 2
gives the value of α appropriate for each buckling curve.
The plastic moment resistance against bending of the cross-section Mpl.Rd may be
considered to correspond to a full plastic stress distribution according to Fig.8.
Concrete under tension is neglected.
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Fig.8 Full plastic stress distribution for a concrete-encased profile
N
A
Npl.Rd
E
Npm.Rd C
0,5 Npm.Rd D
B
M
0 Mpl.Rd Mmax.Rd
The point D on this interaction curve corresponds to the maximum moment resistance
Mmax,Rd that can be achieved by the section. This is greater than Mpl.Rd because the
compressive axial force inhibits tensile cracking of the concrete, thus enhancing its
flexural resistance.
Fig.10 illustrates this process for the example of a concrete-encased section, for four
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particular positions of the plastic neutral axis corresponding respectively to the points
A, B, C, D marked on Fig.9.
Here it can be seen, that in the determination of the resistance of the cross-section,
concrete regions in tension are taken as being cracked and ineffective
Point C: Uniaxial bending resistance identical to that at point B, but with non-zero
resultant axial compression force:
N C = N pm. Rd = AC .0.85 f cd (concrete - encased section)
(16)
= AC f cd (concrete - filled hollow section)
M C = M pl . Rd (17)
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t fy
[Note: fcd may be factored by [1 + η c ] for a circular concrete-filled hollow section.]
d f ck
t fy
[Note: fcd may be factored by [1 + η ] for a circular concrete-filled hollow section.]
cd f
ck
(19a)
M D = M max . Rd = W pa . f yd + W ps f sd + 0.5W pc f cd (concrete - filled hollow section)
(19b)
Wpa, Wps, and Wpc are the plastic modular respectively of the steel section, the
reinforcement and the concrete.
It is usual to substitute the linearised version AECDB (or the simpler ACDB) shown
in Fig.9 for the more exact interaction curve, after doing the calculation to determine
these points.
We may notice that the stress distribution type C provides the same value for the
moment of resistance as B, since the moment from the stress resultants in zone 2hn,
cancel each other. However, the resulting resistance to axial force is of the same
magnitude as the axial force resistance from the pure concrete part Npm.Rd .This can be
seen from adding up the stress distributions in B and C, with regard to the equilibrium
of forces, i.e. the resulting axial force. This follows because the resistance to axial
force in B is zero. Thus, the concrete under compression and that under tensile stress
are complementary to each other; the stress blocks for the reinforcement provide no
axial load. A distribution according to Fig.11(a) results. In the same way, subtracting
the stress distributions of B from that of C analytically produces the stress blocks
shown in Fig.11(b). The stress resultant in Fig.11(b), only dependent on hn, is
generally quite simple. The sum of the horizontal force must lead to Npm.Rd. As a
result an equation for hn, the neutral axis at Mpl.Rd is obtained. This equation is
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different for various types of section. For example of a concrete encased I-profile with
bending about the major axis in Fig.11(b), hn is expressed like this
N pm. Rd
hn = (20)
2bf cd + 2t w (2 f fd − f cd )
Fig.12 shows how the cross-section of a composite column can be checked, by means
of the interaction curve M-N. The resistance of the column under axial compression is
defined by the reduction factor χ. For the factor χ, a value for the moment µk
representing the moment due to imperfection, can be read off the interaction curve.
The influence of this moment is assumed to decrease linearly to the value χn.
χ d = N Sd / N pl . Rd (21)
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In certain regions of the interaction curve, the normal force increases the moment
resistance (µ > 1.0). If bending moment and normal force are independent of each
other, the value of µ must be limited to 1.0. The value χn accounts for the fact that
imperfection and bending moment do not always act together unfavourably.
1− r
χn = χ (22)
4
If transverse loads occur within the column length, then χn =0, i.e. r = 1.
The value of moment factor µ could be obtained from the ineraction curve.
χd − χn
µ = µd − µk ( ) (23)
χ − χn
The moment factor µ represents the remaining moment resistance. It can be shown as:
For the design of a column under compression and biaxial bending the load resistance
for each axis has to be evaluated separately. It will then be clear which of the axes is
more likely to fail. The imperfection then needs to be considered for this direction
only (see Fig.13).
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Fig.13 Verification for compression and biaxial bending
The combined bending must also be checked using the relative values of moment
resistance µy and μz, and a new interaction curve (see Fig.13). This linear interaction
curve is cut off at 0.9 µy and 0.9µz; the existing moments My.Sd and Mz.Sd, related to
the respective resistance, must lie within the new interaction curve. The following
equations result:
M y.Sd M z .Sd
+ ≤ 1 .0 (25)
µ y M pl . y. Rd µ z M pl . z .Rd
and
M y .Sd M z .Sd
≤ 0 .9 (26a) ≤ 0.9 (26b)
µ y M pl . y. Rd µ z M pl . z . Rd
For simplicity, the design transverse shear force VEd is assumed to be resisted by the
steel section only. The design shear resistance Vpl.a.Rd of the steel section can be
calculated as Eq.(27)
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V pl .a. Rd = Av f yd / 3 (27)
The influence of transverse shear force on the resistance to bending and normal force
should be considered if VEd > 0.5V pl .a.Rd , and a reduced design strength (1-ρ)fyd
should be used in the shear area Av of the steel section for the determination of
bending resistance.
ρ = (2VEd / VRd − 1) 2 (29)
If VEd > V pl .a.Rd the design shear force VEd may be distributed into the component,
Va,Ed acting on the structural steel section and Vc,Ed acting on the reinforced concrete
section.
M pl .a. Rd
Va , Ed > VEd (30) Vc , Ed > VEd − Va , Ed (31)
M pl . Rd
Where the plastic moment Mpl.a.Rd and Mpl.Rd refer to the the relevant bending axis.
The resistance to shear of the concrete part should be verified in accordance with
Part 1 of Eurocode 2.
Over the last two decades, researchers have suggested analytical methods and design
procedures for composite columns and design codes have been formulated. Each of
these codes is written so as to reflect the design philosophies and practices in the
respective countries. Over the last two decades, different specific codes for the design
of concreted filled steel tubular column have been used.
19
with a parameter of sustained load ratio, and hence without any sustained load, radius
of gyration should be taken as zero. The limiting thickness of steel tube to prevent
local buckling are based on achieving yield stress in a hollow steel tube under
monotonic axial loading which is not necessary requirement for in-filled composite
column. A parameter for the softening influence of creep in concrete that is subjected
to sustained compressive loading is included.
This is based on the same principle as ACI code. Design is based on equations for
steel columns. Nominal strength is estimated on the basis of ultimate resistance to the
load, and reduction factor are then applied. The nominal axial load capacity is reduced
according to the slenderness ratio. Neither the ACI-318 nor the AISC-LRFD
provisions explicitly consider confinement effects on the strength or ductility of
member analyzed. ACI provisions for calculating the strength interaction between
axial and flexural effects are essentially the same as those for reinforced concrete
column, whereas AISC-LRFD are based on the bilinear interaction formulae which
have the same form as those of steel columns. In the above design methods, flexural
stiffness is underestimated and confining effect of the steel tube on the concrete core
is ignored. The influence of creep is ignored for concrete in composite column
according to AISC-LRFD specification.
A composite structural system using concrete and steel shape is called ‘steel
reinforced concrete’ (SRC) in Japan. The allowable stress design is primarily
employed, in which working stresses are calculated based on the elastic stiffness of
members and allowable strength by the superposed strength formulae. Cross-section
strength is calculated by superimposing the strength of both the steel and concrete
sections, thereby neglecting the interaction between steel and concrete and the effect
of confinement. Euler buckling load is used with a reduced concrete stiffness and
factors of safety for both concrete and steel. The method is applicable to asymmetrical
sections and column under biaxial bending.
Code provisions in BS 5400 are based on limit state design with loading factors and
materials safety factors. The ultimate moment is calculated from plastic stress
distribution over the cross-section, and an approximation for the interaction curve for
axial load and moment is used. Reduced concrete properties are used to account for
the effects of creep and the use of uncracked concrete section in stiffness calculation.
This method is applicable to symmetrical sections only and restricted to the range of
section catered for in the European buckling curves. It underestimates the capacity of
in-filled composite column with high-strength concrete.
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3.5 European Code EC4
EC4 covers concrete encased and partially encased steel section and concrete filled
sections with or without reinforcement. This code uses limit state concepts to achieve
the aims of serviceability and safety by applying partial safety factors to loads and
materials properties. Based on experimental results, it was recommended that the
regulations of EC4 concerning the factor of 0.85 should not be applied to hollow
sections filled with strength concrete. This is the only code that treats the effect of
long-term loading separately.
All codes assume full interaction, but some impose restrictions on the shear stress at
the steel-concrete interface. It is customary to use direct bearing or provide shear
connectors, if used were the specified limiting shear stress is exceeded.
4. References
1. prEN 1994-1-1: Design of composite steel and concrete structures. Part 1-1:
General rules and rules for buildings. Final draft, 1 January 2002.European
Committee for Standardization.
2. prEN 1994-1-2: Design of composite steel and concrete structures. Part 1-2:
Structural rules-Structural fire design. Final draft, 14 January 2002.European
Committee for Standardization.
3. ESDEP Course: WG10:Composite construction. Lecture10.8.1: Composite
Columns I ; Lecture10.8.1: Composite Columns II
4. SSEDTA: Structural Steelwork Eurocodes Development of A Trans-national
Approach. Lecture 8: Composite Columns. @SSEDTA 2001 Last modified
24/02/04.
5. Dowling, P. J., Harding, J. E. & Bjorhovde, R.: Constructional Steel Design: an
international guide. Chapter 4.2 Composite column. Elsevier Applied Science,
1992.
6. N.E. Shanmugam & B.Lakshmi: State of the art report on steel-concrete
composite columns. Journal of Constructional Steel Research, Volume 57, Issue
10, Pages 1041-1119 (October 2001)
7. Aki Vuolio: Design of concreted-filled hollow section columns. (Seminar on steel
structures, Helsinki University of Technology Laboratory of steel structures)
[Notes]
[1]. This figure is based on experiments carried by CFT working group, Japan, 1993. The
cross-section is circular concrete-filled section, and the load is eccentric, the strength of the
in-fill concrete is 41Mpa.
[2]. ACI is the abbreviation of American Concrete Institute.
[3]. AISC is the abbreviation of American Institute of Steel Construction.
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Appendix: A Design Example of composite column
according to Eurocode4
N
kN := 1000⋅ newton kNm := kN ⋅ m MPa :=
2
mm
A composite column pin-supported at both ends , with normal force and bending momen
about one axis.
length of the column Lc := 10⋅ m
design value of normal force Nsd := 2000⋅ kN
design value of bending moment Msd := 100⋅ kNm
moment inertia 4 4
Ia := 13201⋅ 10 ⋅ mm
plasticity modulus 3 3
W p.a := 966.8⋅ 10 ⋅ mm
22
2. Reinforced concrete section
fs
8
design strength of reinforcement fsd := fsd = 4.348 × 10 Pa
γs
2
φs
number and diameter of reinforcing bars ns := 8 φs := 20⋅ mm A s1 := π ⋅
4
−3 2
A s = 2.513 × 10 m
π ⋅ ( D − 2⋅ t) 2
cross section area of concrete A c := − As
4
2
A c = 0.088m
As
ration of reinforcement (max value is 6%) ρ s := ρ s = 0.029 ρ s < ρ max
Ac
distances of the bars from neutral axis es1 := 129.8⋅ mm es2 := 91.8⋅ mm
( D − 2⋅ t) 4
moment of inertia of concrete Ic := π ⋅ − Is
64
−4 4
Ic = 6.317 × 10 m
23
( D − 2 ⋅ t) 3
plastic modulus of concrete W p.c := − W p.s
6
−3 3
W p.c = 6.331 × 10 m
(
EIeff.II := 0.9⋅ Ea ⋅ Ia + Es ⋅ Is + 0.5⋅ Ecm ⋅ Ic )
Critical buckling load
EIeff
2 6
Ncr := π ⋅ Ncr = 4.484 × 10 N
2
Lc
6
Npl.Rd := Aa ⋅ fyd + A c ⋅ fcd + As ⋅ fsd Npl.Rd = 6.26 × 10 N
Limitations
24
check for creep and shrinkage
0.8
λ_lim := λ_lim = 1.455 λ_lim > λ_ OK !
1−δ
D 235⋅ MPa
local buckling = 44.45 90⋅ = 59.577
t fy
D
< 59.577 local buckling can be neglected
t
validity of first order analysis
EIeff.II
2 6
Ncr.eff := π ⋅ Ncr.eff = 3.839 × 10 N
2
Lc
Nsd Nsd
= 0.521 > 0.1
Ncr.eff Ncr.eff
Msd_ := k ⋅ Msd
φ := 0.51 + α ⋅ ( λ_ − 0.2) + λ_
2
25
1
χ :=
2 2 χ = 0.456 χ ≤ 1.0
φ+ φ − λ_
6 6
Nsd = 2 × 10 N χ ⋅ Npl.Rd = 2.856 × 10 N
2 −4 3
W p.cn := ( D − 2⋅ t) ⋅ hn W p.cn = 8.77 × 10 m
4
Mn.Rd := W p.an ⋅ fyd + 0.5⋅ W p.cn ⋅ fcd Mn.Rd = 2.503 × 10 J
5
Mpl.Rd := MD.Rd − Mn.Rd Mpl.Rd = 4.57 × 10 J
26
Nsd
NC.Rd ND.Rd
= 0.319
= 0.315 = 0.188 Npl.Rd
Npl.Rd Npl.Rd
MD.Rd
Msd_
= 1.055
Mpl.Rd = 0.301
Mpl.Rd
( 1 − r)
χ n := χ ⋅ χ n = 0.114
4
Nsd
χ d := χ d = 0.319
Npl.Rd
µ d :=
(1 − χ d) µ k :=
(1 − χ)
1 − 0.315 1 − 0.315
µ := µ d − µ k ⋅
(
χd − χn ) µ = 0.517
(
χ − χn )
Msd Nsd
n := max , n = 0.7
0.9⋅ µ ⋅ Mpl.Rd χ ⋅ Npl.Rd
27