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Thin-Walled Structures 45 (2007) 2436

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Performance of concrete-lled thin-walled steel tubes under pure torsion

Lin-Hai Hana,, Guo-Huang Yaob,c, Zhong Taob
a
Department of Civil Engineering, Tsinghua University, Qing Hua Yuan, Beijing, 100084, PR China
b
College of Civil Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, 350002, PR China
c
China Construction (Shenzhen) Design International, Guangdong Province, PR China
Received 15 November 2006; received in revised form 8 January 2007; accepted 16 January 2007
Available online 7 March 2007

Abstract

In practice, concrete-lled steel tubes (CFST) are often subjected to torsion. To date, such a problem however has not been addressed
satisfactorily by design codes. The present study is thus an attempt to study the torsional behaviours of concrete-lled thin-walled steel
tubes. ABAQUS software is used in this paper for the nite element analysis (FEA) of CFST subjected to pure torsion. A comparison of
results calculated using this modelling shows good agreement with test results. The FEA modelling was used to investigate the inuence
of important parameters that determine the ultimate torsional strength of the composite sections. The parametric studies provide
information for the development of formulae to calculate the ultimate torsional strength, as well as the torsional moment versus torsional
strain curves of the composite sections.
r 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Keywords: Concrete-lled steel tubes (CFST); Concrete; Design; Torsion; Bearing capacity; Parametric analysis; Design method

1. Introduction bendingtorsion), such as the transmitting poles of

Concrete-lled steel tubes (CFST) are currently being
increasingly used in the construction of modern buildings
due to their excellent static and earthquake-resistant
properties [13].
In the past, there were a large number of research studies
on CFST members subjected to compression, bending,
combined compression and bending. These literatures had
been generally reviewed by Shanmugam and Lakshmi [2],
Gourley et al. [3], Han [4], Nishiyama et al. [5], Shams and
Saadeghvaziri [6], Schneider [7], etc. However, it appears
that not too much attention has preciously been given to
the behaviours of such composite members subjected to
torsion moment. This may be attributed to the fact that,
except for exceptional cases, the structural strength is not
compromised by the torsional capacity.
In practice, concrete-lled steel tubular members may
behave in torsion or combined torsion (for example,
compressiontorsion, bendingtorsion or compression
Corresponding author. Tel.: +86 10 62797067; fax: +86 10 62781488.
E-mail address: lhhan@mail.tsinghua.edu.cn (L.-H. Han).
electricity, the columns (particularly at corners) of a high
rise building under earthquake.
Beck and Kiyomiya [8] carried out tests on CFST
members with circular sections under pure torsion. It was
found that, because the local buckling of steel tubes was
prevented by the inlled concrete, the torsional bearing
capacity of CFST was much higher than that of the hollow
steel tube. Finite element method was used to predict the
torsional behaviour of CFSTs. An experimental observa-
tion of torsion in CFST columns were reported by Han and
Zhong [9], where four CFST specimens with circular
sections under pure torsion were presented. It was observed
that the tested specimens showed very good plasticity, and
the outer steel tubes could work with the concrete core
together. A nite element analysis (FEA) model was used
to predict the torsional moment versus torsional rotation
relations. Gong [10] and Lee et al. [11] carried out 47 stub
member tests on CFSTs under compression and torsion.
Xu et al. [12] and Zhou [13] tested 27 long specimens under
compression and torsion. Among them, four composite
specimens were under pure torsion. All of their specimens
were with circular sections. It was found that the core

0263-8231/$ - see front matter r 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.tws.2007.01.008
 ARTICLE IN PRESS
L.-H. Han et al. / Thin-Walled Structures 45 (2007) 2436
concrete plays an important role in the torsional resistance
of the composite members. The composite members have a
high strength and good plasticity under torsion.
The present study is an attempt to study the torsional
behaviours of concrete-lled thin-walled steel tubes. The
improvements of this research programme compared with
the similar studies carried out by the researches mentioned
above are as followings:
(1) CFST with both circular sections and square sections
were studied. The interaction between the steel tube
and its concrete core was analysed in a detail way;
(2) a set of torsional capacity calculating formula, which
suitable for CFST with circular and square sections was
suggested based on parametric studies.
ABAQUS software [14] is used in this paper for the
analysis of CFSTs subjected to pure torsion. The FEA
modelling was then used to investigate the inuence of
important parameters that determine the ultimate torsional
strength of the composite sections. The parametric studies
provide information for the development of formulae for
the calculation of the ultimate torsional strength, as well as
the torsional moment versus torsional strain curves of the
composite sections.
The studies presented in this paper provide a basis for
further development of a theoretical modelling of CFSTs
subjected to combined torsion, such as compressiontor-
sion, bendingtorsion or compressionbendingtorsion.
2. FEA modelling
It is well know that the interaction between steel tube
and its core concrete is the key issue to understand the
behaviour of CFST members. In order to analyse the
interaction of CFSTs under torsion conveniently, ABA-
QUS software is selected in this paper for the calculation.
For the purposes of reasonable analysis, material proper-
ties for steel and the conned concrete, element type,
element mesh and boundary condition, steel tubeconcrete
interface must be determined rationally.
2.1. Material properties
2.1.1. Steel
Elasticplastic model was used to describe the constitu-
tive behaviour of the steel. The determination of stress
strain relations for steel depends on the types of the steel
tubes. For carbon steel, an elastoplastic stressstrain
relation model, consists of ve stages was used. Detailed
derivations of the stressstrain relationship can be found in
Han et al. [15]. A kind of simplied model, consists of two
linear stages (i.e. elastic and hardening) was used for high-
strength steel, the hardening modulus was taken as 0.01Es,
where Es is the steel modulus of elasticity.
For cold-formed steel tube, an idealized multi-linear
stressstrain model, which was developed by Abdel-Rahman
25
and Sivakumaran [16], is adopted in this analysis. In this
model, a cold-formed section is divided into the corner
zone and at zone, as shown in Fig. 1. The increase in the
yield strength at the corner is considered in the analysis
model, which is dependent on the ratio between the
ultimate strength (fu) and yield strength (fy) of the virgin
steel material, the inside bending radius of the corner (r)
and the wall thickness of the at steel sheet (t). An
empirical formula for the yield stress (fy1) at highly worked
corners presented by Abdel-Rahman and Sivakumaran [16]
is given as follows:
f y1 0:6Bc r=tm 0:4f y , (1)
where Bc 3:69f u =f y  0:819f u =f y 2  1:79 and
m 0:192f u =f y  0:068.
The residual stress is considered in the FEA modelling.
For welded steel tubes, a typical residual stress distribution
for a steel plate of a section is shown as in Fig. 2 [17], where
srt and src are residual strength in tension and in
compression, respectively. For cold-formed steel tubes,
test results of the residual stresses indicated that exural
residual stress is more predominant than membrane
residual stress [16]. Major longitudinal tensile residual
stresses exist on the outside surfaces of sections, and
equivalent longitudinal compressive stresses exist on the
inside surfaces of the sections [18]. Even though the
longitudinal residual stresses were concentrated around
the corner zone of the sections, the residual stresses also
exist on the at part, and the magnitudes of these stresses
were dependent on the width of the web plate [16]. Thus, it
was proposed by Sivakumaran and Abdel-Rahman [18]
that a residual stress of 0.4fy be used for the corner zones,
and a residual stress of (0.240.0006B) fy be used for the
at zone [18]. The residual stress has a linear variation
1/2r
Flat zone Corner zone
1/2r
r
Fig. 1. Flat and corner zones of cold-formed square steel tube.
Tensile zone
rt=fy Compressive zone rt=fy
rc=0.2fy
B
Fig. 2. Residual stress distributions across plate of welded steel tube.
 ARTICLE IN PRESS
26 L.-H. Han et al. / Thin-Walled Structures 45 (2007) 2436

through the section thickness, with tensile stress on the
outer surface, and equal compressive stress on the inside
surface at the same location.
It should be noted that, different material models are
presented for steel tubes in this paper; however, specic
model was selected for the calculation in this paper
depends on the types of steel tubes used in the tests.
2.1.2. Concrete
The damage plasticity model dened in ABAQUS/
Standard 6.4 is used in the analysis [14]. By using the
nite element method, strength improving at the state of
triaxial loading can be achieved by the denition of the
yielding surface, and the description of the plastic
behaviour coming from the equivalent stressstrain rela-
tionships of core concrete. The research results in the past
showed that the plasticity of core concrete would increase
due to the passive connement of the steel tube. It includes
two aspects: rst, the strain corresponding to the maximum
stress will increase; and second, the descending branch of
the stressstrain curves tends to even [19]. It was found
that, in general, the increasing of the plastic behaviour
depends on the connement factor x [15,20], the expression
of x is as following:
As f y fy
x a , (2)
Ac f ck f ck
where As and Ac are the cross-sectional areas of the steel
and concrete, respectively; a ( As/Ac) is the steel ratio; fy
the yield strength of the steel; and fck the characteristic
strength of the concrete, fck equals to 0.67fcu for normal
strength concrete; and fcu the cube strength of the concrete.
In order to simulate the plastic behaviour of core
concrete in CFSTs under compression, the stressstrain
relations presented in Han et al. [20] was modied based on
a large amount of trying calculations on CFST stub
column test results. The equivalent stressstrain model,
which is suitable for the FEA using ABAQUS software, is
shown as following:
(
2x  x2 ; xp1;
y x (3)
Z
b x1 x ; x41;
0
The initial modulus of elasticity and Poissons ratio were
determined according to the recommendations
p in ACI
Committee 318 [21], given as E c 4730 f 0c and mc 0.2,
respectively.
For concrete in tension, tensile soften behaviours of
concrete need to be set for the analysis of CFSTs under
torsion in ABAQUS software. A kind of fracture energy
model, which can be invoked by specifying the post failure
stress as a tabular function of cracking displacement
suggested by Hillerborg et al. [22] was selected and used
in the analysis.
2.2. Element type, element mesh and boundary condition
Both the steel tube and the concrete core of the CFST
were modelled using 8-node brick elements (C3D8R), with
three translation degrees of freedom at each node.
The nite element meshes for both circular and square
sections are shown in Fig. 3. Due to symmetry, only 1 s of
the CFST members is taken in the analysis. Fixed
boundary conditions are applied to the bottom surfaces
of the members, and the top surfaces of the members are
free boundaries. The uniform torsional loading in the z
direction is applied to the top surfaces as shown in Fig. 4.
a Steel b
Steel
Concrete Concrete
Fig. 3. A schematic view of the element divisions (a) circular section and
(b) square section.
a Torsional Rotation b Torsional Rotation

where x e/e0, y s/so; so f 0c (N/mm2);

0:2
o c 800x  10 ; c 1300 12:5f 0c  106 ;
6

(
2; CFST with circular section;
Z
1:6 1:5x; CFST with square section;
8 7
>
> 2:36  105 0:25x0:5  f 0c 0:5  0:5X0:12;
>
>
>
< CFST with circular section;
b0 0 0:1
f c
>
> p Fixed boundary
>
> 1:2 1x
>
:
CFST with square section Fixed boundary
0
In the above formulae, f c is the cylinder strength of the Fig. 4. A schematic view of CFSTs under torsional moment (a) circular
concrete, in N/mm2. section and (b) square section.
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L.-H. Han et al. / Thin-Walled Structures 45 (2007) 2436 27

2.3. Steel tube-concrete interface 2.4. Comparisons between predicted and measured results

A surface-based interaction, with a contact pressure
model in the normal direction, and a Coulomb friction
modelling [14] in the tangential direction between surfaces
of steel tube and core concrete was used in the FEA
modelling.
According to the Coulomb friction model, the surfaces
can transfer the shear stress until the shear stress is greater
than the limit value (tcrit). After the relative slip is formed
between the surfaces, the shear force is taken as a constant
(tcrit). The value of tcrit is dependent on the connement
stress (p) between the surfaces of steel tube and core
concrete. tcrit can be expressed as
tcrit mpXtbond , (4)
The torsional capacities predicted using the FEA
modelling described as above are compared with 12
priviously published test results in Beck and Kiyomiya
[8], Gong [10], Han and Zhong [9] and Zhou [13]. The
detailed information for these tests is given in Table 1.
Seamless steel tubes were used in the specimens presented
in Gong [10], Han and Zhong [9], and Zhou [13].
The predicted torsional moment (T) versus rotation
angle (y) and shearing strain (g) curves, are compared with
the measured curves (plotted in dashed lines) in Figs. 5 and
6, respectively. It can be found that, generally good
agreement is obtained between the predicted and tested
results.

where m is the frictional factor and taken as 0.6 in this 3. Analysis and discussions
analysis; and tbond is the average surface bond stress, for
CFST with circular sections [23]: 3.1. Complete curve analysis

tbond 2:314  0:0195D=t, (5)
in which D is the outside diameter of the circular steel tube
and t the thickness of the steel tube.
The bond stress of CFST with square sections is about
0.75 times of that of circular sections [24,25], and can be
expressed as
tbond 0:752:314  0:0195B=t, (6)
in which B is the outside dimension of the square steel tube.
A kind of gap element with high stiffness in the
normal direction was adopted to simulate the contact and
separation between surfaces of steel tube and core concrete.
The well-known NewtonRaphson incremental-iterative
solution method is used to determine the response of CFST
subjected to pure torsion. The displacement control
technique is used to trace the loading paths. The
displacements are applied in incremental steps, the
response of CFST after each step is calculated from the
equilibrium equations.
A typical curve of torsional moment versus torsional
rotation curve was calculated and is shown in Fig. 7. It can
be seen that, generally, the curve can be generally divided
into three stages, i.e.
Stage 1: Elastic stage (from point O to point A). During
this stage, steel and concrete bear load independently.
The yielding of steel occurs at point A.
Stage 2: Elasticplastic stage (from point A to point B).
During this stage, with the increasing of the torsional
moment, the concrete core will crack and begin to
increase in volume, and then lead to the connement
increase provided by the outer steel tube. The conne-
ment enhances as the torsional deformation increases. It
was found that, generally, the shearing strain reaches the
value of 0.01 or so at point B.
Stage 3: Strain hardening stage (from point B to point
C). During this stage, due to the connement provided
by the outer steel tube, the cracked concrete can
still resist torsional moment. Also, due to the strain

Table 1
Test data of CFST members under pure torsion

Specimen Sectional dimension fy (MPa) fcu (MPa) Tue Tuc Tuc/Tue Test data
number D  t  L (mm) resources

TCB1-1 133  4.5  450 324.34 33.3 28.95 25.8 0.892 [9]
TCB2-1 130  3  450 324.34 33.3 17.35 17.6 1.014
TB1-1 133  4.5  2000 324.34 30.4 28.23 24.8 0.878
TB2-1 130  3  2000 324.34 30.4 17.2 16.78 0.976
CS1 114  4.5  387 280 33.1 19.66 17.41 0.886 [10]
CSS6 114  4.5  800 301.9 21.9 19 16.72 0.880 [13]
CSM6 114  4.5  1480 301.9 20.6 18.5 16.52 0.893
CSL6 114  4.5  2280 301.9 22.2 17.8 16.72 0.939
CH35 139.8  3.5  1000 322.9 36.3 33.4 23.75 0.711 [8]
CH45 139.8  4.5  1000 348.2 31.8 40.1 30.9 0.771
CH40 139.8  4  1000 340.3 38.2 42 28.88 0.688
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28 L.-H. Han et al. / Thin-Walled Structures 45 (2007) 2436

a 40 b 30 c 40 d 25

30 20
30
T (kN.m)

T (kN.m)
20

T (kN.m)

T (kN.m)
15
20 Measured 20
Measured 10 Measured
(Han and Zhong, 1995) 10 (Han and Zhong, 1995) Measured
10 10 (Han and Zhong, 1995)
Predicted Predicted (Han and Zhong, 1995) 5 Predicted
Predicted
0 0 0 0
0 10 20 30 0 10 20 30 0 5 10 15 20 0 5 10 15 20
 ()  ()  ()  ()
30
e 30 f 30 g h 30

20

T (kN.m)

T (kN.m)
20
T (kN.m)

20
T (kN.m)

20
Measured Measured
Measured 10 10 Measured
10 10 (Zhou, 1990) (Zhou, 1990)
(Gong, 1989) (Zhou, 1990)
Predicted Predicted
Predicted Predicted
0 0 0 0
0 2 4 6 8 0 2 4 6 8 0 2 4 6 8 10 0 5 10 15 20
 ()  ()  ()  ()

i 40
j 60
30
T (kN.m)
45
T (kN.m)

20 30
Measured Measured
10 (Beck and Kiyomiya,2003) 15 (Beck and Kiyomiya,2003)
Predicted Predicted
0 0
0 0.15 0.3 0.45 0 0.15 0.3 0.45
Twist Angle(rad) Twist Angle(rad)

k 60 Measured
(Beck and Kiyomiya,2003)
T (kN.m)

40 Predicted

20

0
0 0.15 0.3 0.45
Twist Angle(rad)

Fig. 5. T versus y or twist angle curves (a) TCB1-1, (b) TCB2-1, (c)TB1-1, (d) TB2-1, (e) CS1, (f) CSS6 [13], (g) CSM6 [13], (h) CSL6 [13],
(i) CH35, (j) CH45, and (k) CH40.

a 40 b 30

30 800
20
T (kN.m)

T (kN.m)

20
Measured Measured
(Han and Zhong, 1995) 10
(Han and Zhong, 1995)
C
10 B
Predicted Predicted 600
0 0
0 10000 20000 30000 40000 0 10000 20000 30000 40000
T (kN.m)

() ()
25 400
c d 40
20
30
A
T (kN.m)

T (kN.m)

15
20 200
10
Measured Measured
5 (Han and Zhong, 1995) 10 (Han and Zhong, 1995) DtL=4009.31200mm
Predicted Predicted fy=345MPa; fcu=60MPa
0 0
0 5000 10000 15000 20000 0 5000 10000 15000 20000 0
() ()
0 2 4 6 8 10
 ()
Fig. 6. T versus g curves (test data resource: [9]): (a) TCB1-1, (b) TCB2-1,
(c) TB1-1, and (d) TB2-1. Fig. 7. Typical torsional moment (T) versus torsional rotation (y) curve.
 ARTICLE IN PRESS
L.-H. Han et al. / Thin-Walled Structures 45 (2007) 2436 29

hardening effect of steel, the steel tubes have some

potential in resisting the torsional moment. Thus, the
a 20 2
Point A b 10 Point A D
D E C
B A 1
C
B A
Point B Point B
torsional moment versus torsional rotation curves of the 15
3 1 Point C 8 Point C
Point D Point D 2
CFSTs show the features of going upwards. Point E
6

 (MPa)

 (MPa)
4
10
4
Fig. 8 shows the distributions of the shearing stress (S13
5
in the graphs) in the cross sections of the steel tubes and 2
concrete core when the ber of the outer steel tubes reaches
0 0
yielding point (ty). 0 2 4 6 8 0 2 4 6 8
The calculating conditions are: D(B) 400 mm,  ()  ()
L 1200 mm, t 9.3 mm, fy 345 MPa, fcu 50 MPa.
Fig. 9. Shearing stress (t) versus rotation angle (y) relations: (a) circular
It can be found from these gures that, generally, the section and (b) square section.
features of the shearing stress distributions across the
sections can be summarized as: (1) circular sections are
more uniform than those of the square sections. (2) For clearly show that, in the initial stage of loadings, the
square sections, CFST with cold formed steel tube used are shearing stress increases fast. In the elasticplastic stage,
more uniform than those of the welded steel tubes. This can the shearing stress has moderate increase. For circular
contribute that, for circular sections, the interaction sections, the feature of shearing stress distribution during
between the steel tube and its core concrete is more the loading is that the shearing stress increases with the
sufcient than that of the square sections. For square increase of the distance from the centre of the section.
sections with cold formed steel tubes, due to the existing of CFST with square sections has the same feature, except
the circular corners, the interaction can be more suf- that there is a declining trend in the elasticplastic stage.
cient than that of the welded steel tubes. This is attributed to the fact that square steel tube can not
Fig. 9(a) and (b) show shearing stress (t) versus rotation provide enough connement to its concrete core when the
angle (y) curves for typical torsion members with circular wrapping deformation is very large.
sections and square sections respectively. These gures

3.2. Typical failure modes

Fig. 10 shows that typical failure modes of CFSTs and

corresponding hollow steel sections (HSS) subjected to
pure torsion. The calculating conditions of CFST speci-
mens are: D(B) 400 mm, L 1200 mm, a 0.1,
fy 345 MPa, fcu 60 MPa. In the calculations, all of
the specimens are with steel endplates.
It can be seen that there is a signicant difference
between failure modes of CFST and HSS. For HSS when
subjected to pure torsion, there are tension and compres-
sion stresses with a 451 inclination to axial line, thus the
steel tube will occurs inclined outward buckling along 451
direction. CFST specimen shows good plastic and steady
behaviour, no obvious buckling occurs. The changing in
buckling mode of the steel tube had a signicant effect on
the ultimate torsional strength of the specimen.
Fig. 11 shows typical torsional moment (T) versus
torsional angle (y) curves of steel tube, concrete and CFST.
It can be found that steel tube plays a very important role
in the torsional strength of CFST.

3.3. Interaction between the steel tubes and the core concrete

Fig. 12(a) and (b) show the distribution of connement

Fig. 8. Shearing stress (t) distributions: (1) circular section(a) steel tube
and (b) concrete core; (2) square section with welded steel tube(a) steel
tube and (b) concrete core; (3) square section with cold formed steel
tube(a) steel tube and (b) concrete core.
stress (p, i.e. CPRESS in Fig. 12) between steel tube and its
core concrete along the member with circular and square
section respectively when the steel tubes reach their yield
strength (ty) under torsion.
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30 L.-H. Han et al. / Thin-Walled Structures 45 (2007) 2436

Fig. 13(a) shows interaction stress (p) versus torsional
angle (y) curves along the perimeter of the composite
sections. It can be found that, for members with circular
sections, p in the symmetrical positions of the sections
(points 1 and 3, points 2 and 4 shown as in Fig. 9(a)) have
comparative values, and p versus y curves have no falling
stage. Fig. 13(b) shows interaction stress (p) versus
torsional angle (y) curves in section corner position and
section centre position (points 1 and 2 shown as in
Fig. 9(b), respectively) for a CFST with square section.
1 (a). Hereinafter, the inuences of the parameters men-
a b
2
a b
Fig. 10. Typical failure modes: (1) circular section(a) CFST, (b) hollow
steel tube; (2) square section(a) CFST, (b) hollow steel tube.
It can be found from Figs. 12 and 13 that, the interaction
stress mainly exists in section whose inclination with axial
line is 451 for circular CFST. However, for square section,
the interaction stress mainly concentrates at the corners of
the section.
3.4. Parametric analysis on the torsional moment versus
torsional deformation
The possible parameters affecting the load versus
deformation relationship of torsional members are steel
yield strength (fy), concrete strength (fcu), and steel ratio
tioned as above on torsion moment (T) versus sectional
maximum shearing strain (g) are analysed, shown as in
Fig. 14. The basic calculating conditions of the examples in
Fig. 14 are: D(B) 400 mm, L 1200 mm, a 0.1,
fy 345 MPa, fcu 60 MPa.
3.4.1. Steel yield strength (fy)
Fig. 14(1) shows T versus g curves of circular and square
sections with different steel yield strength (fy). It can be
seen from Fig. 14(1) that the inuence of fy on the
composite members with circular and square sections are
very similar. fy has only a moderate inuence on the
rigidity in the elastic stage of T versus g curves. It can also

a 800 b 800 a 6 b8
600 600 6
4
T (kN.m)

T (kN.m)

p (MPa)

p (MPa)

CFST
400 400 Steel tube 4
CFST Steel tube Point 1 Mid-width
2 Point 2
200 200 2 Corner
Concrete core Concrete core Point 3
Point 4
0 0 0 0
0 2 4 6 8 10 0 2 4 6 8 10 0 5 10 15 20 0 2 4 6 8 10
 ()  ()  ()  ()
Fig. 11. Torsional moment (T) versus torsional angle (y) relations: (a) Fig. 13. p versus torsional angle (y) relations: (a) circular section and
circular section and (b) square section. (b) square section.

Fig. 12. Interactive stress between steel tube and concrete core: (a) circular section and (b) square section.
 ARTICLE IN PRESS
L.-H. Han et al. / Thin-Walled Structures 45 (2007) 2436 31

4. Simplied model
1 1000 a
1200
b
750 fy=420MPa fy=420MPa
900
4.1. Torsional yield strength
T (kN.m)

T (kN.m)
500 fy=345MPa 600 fy=345MPa

250
fy=235MPa
300
fy=235MPa For convenience of analysis, nominal shearing stress, i.e.,
t T=W sct of the composite sections subjected to pure
0 0
0 10000 20000 30000 40000 0 10000 20000 30000 40000
torsion is dened in this paper, where Wsct is torsional
() () modulus of intertia of the compsite sections, given by pD3/
1000 16 and 0.208B3 for the composite members with circular
2 900
a b fcu=90MPa and square sections, respectively.
fcu=90MPa 750
600 Fig. 15 shows the typical relationship between nominal
T (kN.m)
T (kN.m)

fcu=30MPa
fcu=30MPa 500 shearing stress (t T/Wsct) and shearing strain (g) of the
fcu=60MPa
fcu=60MPa
300
250
composite sections under pure torsion.
The shearing stress corresponding to the shearing strain
0
0 gscy (Point B0 in Fig. 15) is chosen as the nominal yield
0 10000 20000 30000 40000 0 10000 20000 30000 40000
() () strength (tscy) of the composite sections. At point B0 in
Fig. 15, the steel reaches its shear yield strength (ty). gscy is
3 1200 a =0.2
1500
b =0.2 dened and can be expressed as follows:
900
=0.15 =0.15
1000 p
T (kN.m)

T (kN.m)

600 =0.1 =0.1 gscy 1500 20f cu 3500 a m. (7)

=0.05 500
300
0 0
0 15000 30000 45000 60000 0 10000 20000 30000 40000
()
Fig. 14. Effects of different parameters on T versus torsional angle (y)
relations: (1) steel yield strength(a) circular section and (b) square
section; (2) concrete strength(a) circular section and (b) square section;
(3) steel ratio(a) circular section and (b) square section.
be seen that tosional strength of members increases as fy
increases.
3.4.2. Concrete strength (fcu)
Fig. 14(2) shows T versus g curves of circular and square
sections with different concrete strength (fcu). It can be seen
from Fig. 14(2) that the inuence of fcu on specimens with
circular and square sections are very similar, The concrete
strength has a moderate inuence on tosional strength of
members, but the elastic rigidity of T versus g curves has a
moderate increase while concrete strength increases. The
reason is that concrete shear modulus has relations with the
strength.
=0.05
For convenience of analysis, a nominal torsional yield
strength ratio (gt) is dened as follows, i.e.
()
tscy
gt , (8)
f scy
in which tscy the nominal yielding strength of the
composite sections subjected to pure torsion; fscy the
nominal yielding strength of the composite sections
subjected to axial compression.
The nominal torsional yield strength ratio (gt) of the
composite sections so determined according to the
mechanics model in this paper is plotted in Fig. 16 against
the connement factor (x). It can be seen from Fig. 16 that
the ratio of gt increases when the connement factor (x)
increases. Formulae for gt can be obtained by using the
regression analysis method, i.e.
 (=T/Wsct)
C
B

B'
3.4.3. Steel ratio (a) scy
Fig. 14(3) shows T versus g curves of circular and square max=10000
sections with different steel ratio (a). It can be seen from
Fig. 14(3) that the inuence of a for circular and square
sections are very similar. It can also be seen that the elastic
rigidity of T versus g curves and tosional strength of scp A
members increases as a increases.
From analysis results hereinbefore, it was found that steel
yield strength (fy) concrete strength (fcu) and steel ratio (a) only
have inuence on the numerical value of T versus g curves, but 
have no obvious inuence on the shape of curves. Within the
O scp scy
parameter limitations of the analysis, T versus g curves of
CFST subjected to pure torsion have no falling stage. Fig. 15. Typical tsc versus torsional strain (g) relations.

32 L.-H. Han et al. / Thin-Walled Structures 45 (2007) 2436
a 1
fy=235MPa
0.75 fy=345MPa
fy=420MPa
cy/fscy
0.5
0.25 Equation (9a)
0 0
0 1
Fig. 16. gt( tscy/fscy) versus x relations(a) circular section and (b) square section.
For the composite members with circular sections,
tscy 0:422 0:313a2:33 x0:134 f scy .
For the composite members with square sections,
tscy 0:455 0:313a2:33 x0:25 f scy ,
where f scy 1:14 1:02xf ck for circular sections and
f scy 1:18 0:85xf ck for square sections [20,26].
4.2. Torsional strength
For practical considerations, the moment corresponding
to the maximum bre strain of 0.01 was dened as the
torsional capacity (Tu) of the composite section (point B in
Fig. 15) in this paper. It was found that after the maximum
bre strain reaches 0.01, the torsional moment tends to
stabilize. The torsional capacities (Tue) of the tested
specimens determined were listed in Table 1, and compared
with these of calculated torsional capacities (Tuc) of the
FEM modelling presented previously in this paper. From
the comparisons, it can be found that, generally, the
predicted results are lower than those of the measured
torsional capacities (Tue), among them, the difference
between the calculated torsional capacities (Tuc) and the
measured torsional capacities (Tue) from Beck and
Kiyomiya [8] is relatively bigger. In general, good agree-
ment is obtained between the predicted and tested results.
Fig. 17 shows that T u =T ps versus a curves of circular and
square sections with different steel yield strength and
concrete strength. In Fig. 17, T ps is the plastic torsional
strength of hollow steel tube (for circular section,
T ps 23 pty r3s  r3c ;pfor p 1 3
square section, T s 3 ty B  b ,
in which, ty f y = 3, rs and rc are the outer and inner radii
for circular tube, respectively, B and b are outer and inner
widths for square tube, respectively). It can be found that
the features of T u =T ps versus a curves with circular and
square sections are very similar. Due to the existing core
concrete, Tu is larger than T ps . The enhanced structural
behaviour of the CFST members can be explained in terms
of composite action between the steel tube and its
concrete core.
ARTICLE IN PRESS
b 1
Equation (9b)
0.75
cy/fscy
0.5
fy=235MPa
0.25 fy=345MPa
fy=420MPa
2 3 4 0 1 2 3 4
 
The inuences of the parameters in Fig. 17 can be
summarized as: the higher the steel ratio (a) or the steel
(9a) yielding strength (fy), the lower the T u =T ps ; the bigger the
concrete strength (fcu), the higher the ratio of T u =T ps . Since
higher steel ratio (a) or steel yielding strength (fy) mean
(9b) bigger contribution of the steel tube in CFST under
torsional loading, in this case, the value of T ps increases
faster than Tu with the increasing of a or fy, and thus leads
to a reduction of the ratio of T u =T ps . Additionally, bigger
f cu means bigger concrete modulus, which can lead to
higher torsional capacity of the CFST and thus a higher
ratio of T u =T ps .
It can be also seen from Fig. 17 that, the ultimate
torsional moment increment of circular sections is larger
than that of square sections with same calculated
parameters. Within the limitation of the parameters in this
paper, for circular sections, the maximum torsional
strength of CFST is roughly 1075% higher than the
plastic torsional strength of hollow steel tube; for square
sections, the maximum torsional strength increment is
roughly 650%. It is thus expected that CFST is a good
option in achieving higher torsional strength than that of
using unlled tubes.
For convenience of analysis, the strength index of the
composite sections (SI) is dened as following:
Tu
SI . (10)
tscy W sct
in which Tu is the torsional capacity of the composite
members; Wsct the torsional modulus of intertia of the
compsite sections, given by pD3/16 and 0.208B3 for the
composite members with circular and square sections,
3
respectively.
The strength index of the composite sections so
determined according to the FEA modelling in this paper
is plotted in Fig. 18 against the connement factor (x). It
can be seen from Fig. 18 that the SI ratio increases when
the connement factor (x) increases. Formulae for SI can
be obtained by using the regression analysis method, i.e.
For CFST members with circular sections:
SI 1:294 0:267 lnx. (11a)
 ARTICLE IN PRESS
L.-H. Han et al. / Thin-Walled Structures 45 (2007) 2436 33

1 2 1.6

1.8
a fcu=30MPa b fcu=30MPa
fcu=60MPa fcu=60MPa
fcu=90MPa 1.4 fcu=90MPa
1.6

Tu/Tsp
Tu/Tsp
1.4
1.2
1.2

1 1
0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2
 

2 1.8 1.5
a fcu=30MPa b fcu=30MPa
fcu=60MPa 1.4 fcu=60MPa
1.6
fcu=90MPa fcu=90MPa
1.3

Tu/Tsp
Tu/Tsp

1.4
1.2
1.2
1.1

1 1
0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2
 

3 1.5 1.4

1.4
a fcu=30MPa b fcu=30MPa
fcu=60MPa fcu=60MPa
1.3
fcu=90MPa fcu=90MPa
1.3
Tu/Tsp

Tu/Tsp

1.2
1.2
1.1
1.1

1 1
0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2
 

Fig. 17. Inuences of parameters on Tu/Tps versus a relations: (1) f y 235 MPa(a) circular sections, (b) square sections; (2) f y 345 MPa(a) circular
sections, (b) square sections; (3) f y 420 MPa(a) circular sections, (b) square sections.

a 3 b 3
fy=235MPa fy=235MPa
2.5 2.5
fy=345MPa fy=345MPa
2 fy=420MPa 2 fy=420MPa

1.5
SI

1.5
SI

1 1
Equation (11a) Equation (11b)
0.5 0.5

0 0
0 1 2 3 4 0 1 2 3 4 5
 

Fig. 18. SI versus x relations: (a) circular sections and (b) square sections.

For CFST members with square sections: The validity limits of Eq. (12) are: a 0.040.2;
fy 235420 MPa, and fcu 3090 MPa. The torsional
SI 1:431 0:242 lnx. (11b) strengths of CFSTs using formula (12) are compared
From Eqs (10) and (11), the torsional strength of the with the test results in Fig. 19. It can be found that, similar
composite section can be expressed as to the comparisons between the calculated torsional capacities
of the FEM modelling and those of the measured torsional
T u gt tscy W sct . (12) capacities (shown as in Table 1), the accuracy with which the
 ARTICLE IN PRESS
34 L.-H. Han et al. / Thin-Walled Structures 45 (2007) 2436

60 formula predicted the experimental strength is reasonable,

Beck and Kiyomiya(2003) and in general, the predictions are somewhat conservative.
Gong(1989)
45 Han and Zhong(1995)
4.3. Torsional moment versus torsional deformation
Zhou(1990)
relations
Tuc(kN.m)

30
Based on the numerical model mentioned above,
according to regression analysis method, the tg relations
shown in Fig. 15 can be expressed as
15

(1) Stage OA (0ogpgsco):

0 t G sc g, (13)
0 15 30 45 60
Tue(kN.m) where Gsc is the shearing elastic modulus of the
composite sections, and can be given as
Fig. 19. Comparisons of torsional capacity between simplied model and
test results.
tscp
G sc , (14)
gscp

a 800 a 800

600 600
T (kN.m)

T (kN.m)
400 400
Theoretical model
Theoretical model
200 200 Simplified model
Simplified model
0 0
0 10000 20000 30000 40000 0 10000 20000 30000 40000
 ()  ()

b 800 b 800

600 600
T (kN.m)
T (kN.m)

400 400

Theoretical model Theoretical model

200 200
Simplified model Simplified model

0 0
0 10000 20000 30000 40000 0 10000 20000 30000 40000
 ()  ()
c 800 c 800

600 600
T (kN.m)
T (kN.m)

400 400
Theoretical model Theoretical model
200 Simplified model 200 Simplified model

0 0
0 10000 20000 30000 40000 0 10000 20000 30000 40000
 ()  ()

Fig. 20. Comparisons of predicted T versus g curves between theoretical Fig. 21. Comparisons of predicted T versus g curves between theoretical
model and simplied model (circular section: D  t  L 400  model and simplied model (square section: B  t  L 400 
9.3  1200 mm): (a) fy 345MPa (b) fcu 60 MPa, (c) a 0.1. 9.3  1200 mm): (a) TCB1-1, (b) TCB2-1, (c) TB1-1, and (d) TB2-1.
 ARTICLE IN PRESS
L.-H. Han et al. / Thin-Walled Structures 45 (2007) 2436 35

a 40 b 30

30
20

T (kN.m)

T (kN.m)
20
Measured(Han and Measured(Han and
10
Zhong,1995) Zhong,1995)
10
Simplified model Simplified model

0 0
0 15000 30000 45000 60000 0 15000 30000 45000 60000
 ()  ()

c 40 d 30

30
20
T (kN.m)

T (kN.m)
20
Measured(Han and Measured(Han and
10
10 Zhong,1995) Zhong,1995)
Simplified model Simplified model
0 0
0 15000 30000 45000 60000 0 15000 30000 45000 60000
 ()  ()

Fig. 22. Comparisons of predicted T versus g curves between test results and simplied model.

tscp and gscp are the shear stress and strain d g2scp  at2scp  bgscp  ctscp ;
corresponding to point A in Fig. 15, and can be given
as
    tscyy  tscp  Gsc gscy  gscp
fy e ;
tscp 0:149 0:322 G sc  G sch
235
"     # )
fy 2 fy 0:933
 0:842  1:775 0:933 a b  2g
235 235 G sct ;
2at c
 0:032
30 where tscyy SI tscy ; Gsch is the tangent modulus in
 tscy , 15
f cu the hardening stage. For CFST with circular sections:
G sch 220a 200 MPa. (18a)
f y 0:07f cu  30 For CFST with square sections:
gscp 0:595 , (16)
Es Ec G sch 220a 150 MPa.
2
where the unit for fy and fcu is N/mm .
(2) Stage AB (gscpogp0.01): In this stage, tg can be (3) Harding stage BC (g40.01):
given as
t tscyy G sch g  0:01. (19)
g2 at2 bg ct d 0, (17)
Figs. 2022 compare some of the Tg curves
in which
between the tests, the curves calculated by the
0:01  gscp 2  2e0:01  gscp mechanics model and the simplied model. It can be
a ; seen that generally good agreement is achieved.
t2scyy  t2scp 0:01  gscp 2tscp G sc
e2tscyy G sch  2tscp G sc

b 2gscp  2atscp G sc  cG sc ;
5. Conclusions

2gscy  gscp 2tscyy Gsch  2tscp Gsc a The present study is an attempt to study the torsional
c ;
Gsc  G sch behaviours of CFST. The following observations and
 ARTICLE IN PRESS
36 L.-H. Han et al. / Thin-Walled Structures 45 (2007) 2436
conclusions are made based on the limited research
reported in the paper:
(1) Finite element method is used in this paper for the
analysis of CFST subjected to pure torsion. A
comparison of results calculated using this model
shows good agreement with test results.
(2) The theoretical model was used to investigate the
inuence of important parameters that determine the
ultimate torsional strength of the composite members.
(3) The parametric studies provide information for the
development of formulae for the calculation of ultimate
torsional strength and torsional moment versus tor-
sional strain curves of the composite sections.
Acknowledgements
The research reported in the paper was supported by the
National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.
50425823), and the Start-Up Fund for Outstanding
Incoming Researchers Project of Fujian Province and
Tsinghua University. Their nancial supports are highly
appreciated.
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