Performance of lightweight aggregate and self-compacted concrete-filled steel tube columns

The aim of this paper is to investigate the performance of Lightweight Aggregate Concrete Filled Steel Tube (LWCFST) columns experimentally and compare to the behavior of Self-Compacted Concrete Filled Steel Tube (SCCFST) columns under axial loading. Four different L/D ratios and three D/t ratios were used in the experimental program to delve into the compression behaviours. Compressive strength of the LWC and SCC are 33.47 MPa and 39.71 MPa, respectively. Compressive loading versus end shortening curves and the failure mode of sixteen specimens were compared and discussed. The design specification formulations of AU 2001, AISC 360-16, and EC4 were also assessed against test results to underline the performance of specification methods in predicting the compression capacity of LWCFST and SCCFST columns. Based on the behaviour of the SCCFST columns, LWCFST columns exhibited different performances, especially in ductility and failure mode. The nature of the utilized lightweight aggregate led to local buckling mode to be dominant in LWCFST columns, even the long LWCFST specimens suffered from this behaviour. While with the SCCFST specimens the global buckling governed the failure mode of long specimens without any loss in capacity. Considering a wide range of column geometries (short, medium and long columns), this paper extends the current knowledge in composite construction by examining the potential of two promising and innovative structural concrete types in CFST applications.