Parametric study on high strength ECC-CES composite columns under axial compression

This paper presents the results of a comprehensive numerical parametric study on axial compressive behaviours of recently introduced Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECC) confined concrete encased steel composite columns (ECC-CES). For that purpose, a criterion to calculate the effective material stresses for non-linear finite element (FE) modelling of ECC-CES columns is first established. The results of criteria-based FE analysis are validated against the experimental results in terms of failure mode, column strength and load-deformation response, and a good agreement is demonstrated. The validated FE model is then employed to conduct a detailed parametric study. The effects of extended range of material strengths, geometric dimensions and column scaling on the axial compressive performance of ECC-CES columns are investigated. Based on the finite element analysis (FEA) results, some important implication for practical design of ECC-CES columns are recommended. In addition, the applicability of a simple squash load formula to predict the ultimate capacity of ECC-CES columns is also evaluated and discussed against the results of comprehensive parametric study.