Dimensionless analysis of composite rectangular and circular RC columns

A numerical procedure is presented that provides ultimate curvature and moment domains for composite rectangular and circular cross-sections of reinforced concrete columns with or without an embedded steel section subjected to combined axial loading and biaxial bending. The stress resultants for the concrete and reinforcement bars are calculated using fiber analysis and the stress resultants for the encased structural steel are evaluated using an exact integration of the stress-strain curve over the area of the steel section. A dimensionless formula is proposed that can be used for any section with similar normalized geometric and mechanical parameters. The contribution of each material to the bearing capacity of a section (resistance load and moments) is calculated separately so that the influence of each geometric or mechanical parameter on the bearing capacity can be investigated separately.