Numerical Analysis of Sectional Shape Effect on Behavior of Short Concrete Columns

Abstract

This paper numerically investigates the effect of sectional shape on the structural behavior of short concrete columns when subjected to axial loading. Seven concrete columns that possess the same cross-sectional area, longitudinal reinforcement ratio, tie-bar diameter, and spacing are analysed via Abaqus software. The concrete compressive strength is equal for all columns. The loading is applied at the plastic centroid of the cross-section. The results show that the plus-shaped cross-sectional column sustains the highest load, while the T-shaped section bears the lowest loading. The plus-shaped, square, rectangular, and circular columns endure a higher loading than the T-shaped ones by 12.3 %, 10.7 %, 10.7 %, and 8.7 %, respectively. Concerning the longitudinal displacement, the T-shaped column exhibits the highest shortening, while the octagonal section shows the minimum shortening. Failure of all columns occurs due to the yielding of the longitudinal bars, followed by a fracturing of the concrete. All columns roughly show the same cracking load, while the T-shaped section exhibits a higher displacement than others at the cracking state, followed by an L-shaped column. However, all other columns show the same longitudinal displacement at the cracking load.