Experimental Investigation of Square Filled Steel Multi-Cell Column

Abstract

Multi-Cell Steel Column (MCC) presents an innovative solution for the problem of local buckling in thin walls of steel column of box section type. This study presents an extension for this innovative solution by filling the column cells with normal concrete capable of enhancing the axial load capacity of such columns. A group of eight MCSC specimens of square cross-section were experimentally tested by applying axial compression load which included hollow and those filled with concrete. In addition, numerical analysis was carried out using ABAQUS, Finite Element (FE) software, in order to validate the experimental results. A parametric study was conducted in this investigation to include more parameters such as number of internal cells wall external to internal wall thickness. Numerical results showed a good agreement with the experimental results. Both experimental and numerical results showed great enhancement in the load carrying capacity of composite (MCC) compared to non-composite ones that ranged between 690% and 800%. In addition, there was an increase between (MCC) and Single Cell Steel Column (SCC) that ranged between 18% to 27% increase of. A remarkable improvement in the ductility behaviour was also observed during the study.