Calibrated Design of High Strength Composite Columns

What does the general design method, described in EN 1994‐1‐1, mean in practice for the construction industry? Even though this method requires additional efforts, it provides improved design accuracy. High strength and high slenderness concrete filled steel tube composite columns with a solid steel core inside have undoubtable benefits. However, application of such columns requires the use of a general method of design and special knowledge not fully covered by Eurocodes. In order to utilize the general design method for ATLANT® Strong composite columns, Peikko has conducted an extensive development program. During the program, multiple tests were conducted on materials and the columns itself. The test results were used to calibrate models of Finite Element Analysis (ABAQUS), which allowed to investigate the behaviour of those columns even more extensively. Eventually, the general design method was implemented and calibrated, allowing reliable and optimized design. The paper contains an overview of ATLANT® Strong composite columns behaviour, the extensive testing program and calibration process to reach the optimal design of such columns. Additionally practical specifics, challenges and benefits are discussed.