Equivalent temperature prediction for concrete-filled cold-formed steel (CF-CFS) built-up column sections (part A)

This study aims to present an empirical formulation to predict equivalent temperature for steel and concrete components of the innovative concrete-filled cold-formed steel (CF-CFS) built-up column sections. This paper (part A) presents a 2-dimensional (2D) finite element modeling technique to predict temperature evolution through the CF-CFS built-up column sections. Heat transfer analysis was undertaken considering existing models/data for thermal properties (thermal conductivity and specific heat) of concrete and steel as a function of temperature. The resultant heat emissivity and the convective heat coefficient were defined to describe radiation and convection. The results of finite element modeling were calibrated against experimental data. The results showed a good agreement with experimental data for both steel and concrete temperature evolution. Therefore, the 2D finite element can accurately predict the temperature of the CF-CFS sections and can be used as a reliable tool for further parametric study.