Seismic performance of centrifugally prefabricated square hollow columns: Experimental and numerical study

In this study, five 1/2.8-scale centrifugally prefabricated square hollow column specimens are experimentally investigated under quasi-static cyclic test, to evaluate the seismic performance of such columns with different design details. The specimens include one cast-in-place (CIP) specimen and four precast specimens, which aims to study the influencing factors of grouted splice sleeve connection, concrete grade, filled concrete, and tie bars. Damage development, hysteretic behavior, ductility, effective stiffness, energy dissipation, and residual displacement are compared, analyzed and summarized. Finite element modeling is then conducted for all specimens, and improved modeling approach is proposed. The improved modeling approach has considered structural nonlinear behavior by incorporating a new way of material modeling, other than conventional types of material. Detailed parametric analysis is also performed, and reasonable ranges of each factor are proposed. The new approach will potentially provide references for numerical simulation of such centrifugally prefabricated square hollow columns, which balances modeling accuracy and computational efficiency.