Critical factors in displacement ductility assessment of high-strength concrete columns

Ductility of high-strength concrete (HSC) columns with rectangular sections was assessed in this study by reviewing experimental data from the available literature. Up to 112 normal weights concrete columns with strength in the range of 50–130 MPa were considered and presented as a database. The data included the results of column testes under axial and reversed lateral loading. Displacement ductility of HSC columns was evaluated in terms of their concrete and reinforcement strengths, bar arrangement, volumetric ratio of transverse reinforcement, and axial loading. The results indicated that the confinement requirements and displacement ductility in HSC columns are more sensitive than those in normal strength concrete columns. Moreover, ductility is descended by increasing concrete strength. However, it was possible to obtain ductile behavior in HSC columns through proper confinement. Furthermore, this study casts doubt about capability of P / A g f c ′ ratio that being inversely proportional to displacement ductility of HSC columns.