Mechanical behaviour of composite columns composed of RAC-filled square steel tube and profile steel under eccentric compression loads

This research examines the eccentric compression performance of composite columns composed of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC)-filled square steel tube and profile steel. A total of 17 specimens on the composite columns with different recycled coarse aggregate (RCA) replacement percentage, RAC strength, width to thickness ratio of square steel tube, profile steel ratio, eccentricity and slenderness ratio were subjected to eccentric compression tests. The failure process and characteristic of specimens under eccentric compression loading were observed in detail. The load-lateral deflection curves, load-train curves and strain distribution on the cross section of the composite columns were also obtained and described on the basis of test data. Results corroborate that the failure characteristics and modes of the specimens with different design parameters were basically similar under eccentric compression loads. The compression side of square steel tube yields first, followed by the compression side of profile steel. Finally, the RAC in the columns was crushed and the apparent local bulging of square steel tube was also observed, which meant that the composite column was damaged and failed. The composite columns under eccentric compression loading suffered from typical bending failure. Moreover, the eccentric bearing capacity and deformation of the specimens decreased as the RCA replacement percentage and width to thickness ratio of square steel tube increased, respectively. Slenderness ratio and eccentricity had a significantly adverse effect on the eccentric compression performance of composite columns. But overall, the composite columns generally had high-bearing capacity and good deformation. Meanwhile, the mechanism of the composite columns under eccentric compression loads was also analysed in detail, and the calculation formulas on the eccentric compression capacity of composite columns were proposed via the limit equilibrium analysis method. The calculation results of the eccentric compression capacity of columns are consistent with the test results, which verify the validity of the formulas, and the conclusions can serve as references for the engineering application of this kind of composite columns.