Simulation and design recommendations of eccentrically loaded slender concrete-filled tubular columns

This paper proposes an efficient numerical model for the simulation of the behavior of slender circular concrete-filled tubular columns subjected to eccentric axial load with single curvature, for the cases of both normal and high strength concrete. The paper focuses on the study of the influence that the variables affecting beam–column behavior (length and relative slenderness) and the variables affecting section behavior (diameter/thickness ratio, mechanical capacity of steel) have on the overall buckling of this type of column. An extended parametric study is carried out to propose design recommendations, primarily to establish the importance of the use of high strength concrete compared with that of normal strength concrete. The results show that for slender elements the optimum design is reached when the mechanical capacity of the steel is slightly lower than that of the concrete contribution.