Behaviour of concrete-filled stainless steel tubular columns at ambient and elevated temperatures

Despite its many desirable characteristics, the initial high cost of stainless steel greatly limited its structural use in the past. To make more economical use of stainless steel, it is advisable to fill stainless steel hollow sections with concrete to develop an innovative composite construction technology. The so-called concrete-filled stainless steel tubular (CFSST) columns can combine the advantages of both stainless steel and concrete, and the amount of stainless steel used can be greatly reduced by concrete filling. This paper summarises the research carried out in the last few years by the authors and their colleagues on CFSST columns. Particular emphasis in this paper is placed on the behaviour of CFSST columns at ambient and elevated temperatures. Meanwhile, the bond behaviour between the stainless steel tube and concrete under both ambient and fire conditions is briefly presented. Finally, the implications of these findings for future research are highlighted.