EUROSTEEL 2014, September 10-12, 2014, Naples, Italy

STEEL-CONCRETE CONNECTION IN CASE OF CONCRETE FILLED

RECTANGULAR HOLLOW SECTION COLUMNS
Cristian Vulcua, Aurel Stratana, Adrian Ciutinaa, Dan Dubinaa,b
a

Politehnica University of Timisoara, Dept. of Steel Structures and Structural Mechanics, Romania
b
CCTFA, Romanian Academy, Timisoara Branch
cristian.vulcu@upt.ro; aurel.stratan@upt.ro; adrian.ciutina@upt.ro; dan.dubina@upt.ro

INTRODUCTION
The current paper presents a set of experimental investigations conducted at the Politehnica
University of Timisoara in the framework of the European research project HSS-SERF High
Strength Steel in Seismic Resisting Building Frames, and as part of a Ph.D. Thesis [1]. The
experimental program was developed and carried out for the evaluation of the steel-concrete
connection considering the case of concrete filled rectangular hollow section (CF-RHS) columns.
The square columns realized as concrete filled tubes (CFT) combine the good resistance and
ductility of steel elements with the improved rigidity and resistance of concrete. In addition, the
good properties are preserved on principal loading directions. The combination the two materials
(steel and concrete) may lead also to a reduced steel section. However, a particular attention should
be given to distribution of stresses between the steel tube and the concrete core. The goal of the
present research was to count on both materials (steel and concrete) for an improved composite
action ensured by the use of shot fired nails, also termed as powder-actuated fasteners.
The nailed shear connection was developed at the Technical University of Innsbruck, [2] & [3], and
the use of powderactuated fasteners represents a relatively new method for assuring shear
connection in areas where loads are induced to composite tubular columns [4]. The powder-actuated
fasteners are driven through the tube walls from the outside and then protrude inside the tube. The
connection between the surrounding tubular section and the concrete inside is then provided by
direct pressure of the concrete against the shanks of the nails. The main advantage of this solution is
that it is quick and easy to apply, especially for columns that are continuous over several storeys.
Experimental investigations were performed by Beck [5] covering a number of 30 push-out tests
with pipe specimens. Influences of pipe geometry, concrete strength and type of fastener on the
load-deflection characteristics were investigated. The load deflection behaviour exhibited excellent
ductility combined with high load-bearing capacity per fastener. Based on these findings the nailed
shear connection was introduced into practice with the Millennium Tower in Vienna, a fifty storey
high rise building completed in 1999, where it has proven to be a reliable and cost effective
connection method as no welding work was required [6]. Additional experimental investigations
were performed, by Hanswille et al. [7] with the aim to investigate the behaviour of the shear
connection subjected to a serviceability limit state loading sequence, and the long term behaviour
and influence of concrete creep on the nailed shear connections.
1

EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATIONS

1.1 Experimental program and specimen configuration

The aim of the experimental program was to evaluate the load introduction within composite
columns realized as concrete filled tubes of high strength steel (see Fig. 1). For this purpose load
introduction tests were performed on a number of 6 specimens varying parameters such as: loading
procedure (monotonic, cyclic), connection type (steel-concrete bonding, steel-concrete bonding
combined with connectors), and steel grade (S460, S700). The objective of research was to assess
the efficiency of the shot fired nails in providing the shear connection between the steel tube and the
concrete core under monotonic and cyclic loading. As connectors, a number of 24 Hilti X-DSH32
P10 shot fired nails were used per column stub. The number of 24 nails was chosen considering the

following aspects: (i) the maximum number of nails that could be tested considering the ultimate
capacity per nail in amount of 38 kN (see Beck [5]), the friction force between steel tube and
concrete core (Ff = RdAlateral = 0.45468408 218.7 kN; where Rd = 0.4 N/mm2 was taken
according to EN 1994-1 6.7.4.3 [8]), the 1200 kN capacity limit of the testing device, and that the
number of connectors should be divisible with 8 (minimum number of nails); (ii) to facilitate the
comparison with previous studies where the same number of nails was used (see Beck [5]).

Fig. 1. Specimen configuration for the load introduction tests

The particularities of the current experimental program, with regard to the previous studies, are
related to: rectangular hollow section tubes, high strength steel (S460, S700), cyclic loading
procedure, evaluation of the friction forces between the steel tube and the concrete core. The
experimental program is summarised in Table 1. Accordingly, a number of 6 tests on column stubs
were performed under monotonic and cyclic loading taking into consideration the cases below:
1 monotonic and 1 cyclic test on the column stub taking into account only the adhesion between
the steel tube and the encased concrete (S700-F-M / S700-F-C);
1 monotonic and 1 cyclic test on the column stub containing steel-concrete bonding combined
with connectors (S700-F-H-M / S700-F-H-C);
1 monotonic and 1 cyclic test on the column stub containing steel-concrete bonding combined
with connectors (S460-F-H-M / S460-F-H-C);
Table 1.

Experimental program - load introduction tests

Nr.
Specimen
Tube
1
S700-F-M
RHS 250x10 S700
2
S700-F-C
RHS 250x10 S700
3
S700-F-H-M
RHS 250x10 S700
4
S700-F-H-C
RHS 250x10 S700
5
S460-F-H-M
RHS 300x12.5 S460
6
S460-F-H-C
RHS 300x12.5 S460
* 24 Hilti X-DSH32 P10 shot fired nails

Bond
Friction
Friction
Friction & Nails*
Friction & Nails*
Friction & Nails*
Friction & Nails*

Load
Monotonic
Cyclic
Monotonic
Cyclic
Monotonic
Cyclic

The column stub specimens were manufactured using cold formed steel hollow section tubes of 800
mm length. The concrete core was considered with a depth of 600 mm inside the steel tubes. For the
load application, plates were welded in the shape of an I profile on two opposite tube walls. For the
positioning of the connectors, installation instructions were elaborated at Hilti AG [9], based on the
particularities of the current experimental program (steel grade and thickness of the tubes).
Consequently, it was recommended to use the X-DSH32 P10 nails, and to apply them before
concreting in order to drive them consistently straight through the tube walls. Furthermore, due to
the use of high-strength steel, pre-drilling of the steel tube was recommended.
1.2 Experimental testing set-up
With the aim to assess the behaviour and the characteristics of the connection between the steel tube
and the encased concrete (see Fig. 1), an experimental test set-up was designed (see Fig. 2ab) in
order to be used within a universal testing machine, and considering the following: monotonic as
well as cyclic loading conditions; top and bottom supports (see Fig. 1) in contact with concrete core
only; load to be applied on the steel tube; load path: friction / friction + connectors;

The instrumentation of the specimens (see Fig. 2cd) consisted in the measurement of the force
applied by the testing machine and the relative displacement between steel tube and concrete core,
using two displacement transducers at the top side and two at the bottom side.

a)

b)

c)

d)

Fig. 2. a) & b) Experimental test set-up, c) conceptual scheme of instrumentation, d) detail of instrumentation

The parameters used to control the load introduction tests, were the relative displacement d
measured between the steel tube and the concrete core, and the force F (see Fig. 2c). The loading
was applied in force control within the elastic range and in displacement control for the plastic
range. For the cyclic loading, the ECCS [10] procedure was considered.
1.3 Material properties
At 28 days from concrete casting, compression tests were performed on concrete samples, obtaining
an average characteristic strength in amount of 35.88 N/mm2. The X-DSH32 P10 nails were tested
to shear by Hilti AG [11] obtaining an average shear force in amount of 21.85 kN (at 25 C). The
corresponding shear stress was in amount of 1374 N/mm2 and the equivalent stress was computed in
amount of 2380 N/mm2.
2

TEST RESULTS

2.1 Results
The experimental investigation program started with the three monotonic tests. The obtained force
vs. relative displacement curves allowed assessing the yield displacements dy, necessary for the
ECCS [10] cyclic loading procedure. Accordingly, the yield displacements were computed as
follows: 0.75 mm for the column stub with friction bond only, and 1 mm for the two column stubs
with friction and connectors. The results of the experimental investigations are further presented in
terms of force vs. relative displacement (computed as the average between the measurements of the
four displacement transducers). It is to be mentioned that the measurements at the top and bottom
side were very close.
The monotonic and cyclic response of the friction, developed between the steel tube and the
concrete core, is shown in Fig. 4ab. It can be observed that beyond a relative displacement of 2 mm,
the monotonic force was measured in amount of 200 kN. This value remained almost constant even
for high levels of relative displacements. Under cyclic loading the force developed through friction
was lower (approximately 160 kN corresponding to the maximum amplitude of each cycle, and 20
kN corresponding to the initial position, i.e. 0 mm relative displacement).
The monotonic and cyclic response of the friction combined with the 24 shot fired nails is shown in
Fig. 4cd for the column stub with S700 steel tube and respectively in Fig. 4ef for the column stub
with S460 steel tube. It can be observed that the shear capacity heavily increased. Under monotonic
loading the transferred forces were approximately 1100 kN corresponding to a relative displacement
of 5 mm. Apparently, the capacity limit of the testing device was lower (1100 kN) than the specified
1200 kN, and therefore under monotonic loading, the ultimate capacity of the connectors was not
determined. Under cyclic loading the maximum forces were slightly lower. In addition, the forcedisplacement curve decreased significantly corresponding to relative displacements of 5 mm.

1200
Force [kN]

1000

S700-F-M

Force [kN]

800

1100
900
700
500
300
100
-100
-24 -20 -16 -12 -8 -300
-4 0 4 8 12 16 20 24
-500
-700
S700-F-C
-900
-1100
Relative displacement [mm]

600
400
200
0
0

2
4
6
8
Relative displacement [mm]

10

a)

1200
Force [kN]

1000
Force [kN]

800
600
400
200

S700-F-H-M

0
0

2
4
6
8
Relative displacement [mm]

10

c)

1200
Force [kN]

1000

d)

1100
900
700
500
300
100
-100
-24 -20 -16 -12 -8 -300
-4 0 4 8 12 16 20 24
-500
-700
-900
S460-F-H-C
-1100
Relative displacement [mm]

Force [kN]

800

1100
900
700
500
300
100
-100
-24 -20 -16 -12 -8 -300
-4 0 4 8 12 16 20 24
-500
-700
-900
S700-F-H-C
-1100
Relative displacement [mm]

b)

600
400
200

S460-F-H-M

0
0

2
4
6
8
Relative displacement [mm]

10

e)

f)

Fig. 4. Monotonic and cyclic response of: a) & b) steel-concrete adhesion (S700-F), c) & d) friction combined with
connectors (S700-F-H), e) & f) friction combined with connectors (S460-F-H)

2.2 Interpretation of results

A graphical comparison in terms of monotonic and cyclic response corresponding to the column
stubs without nails (S700-F) and with nails (S700-F-H) can be seen in Fig. 5ac. A significant
contribution of the 24 connectors can be observed under both monotonic and cyclic loading.
1200

S700-F-H-M
S700-F-M

Force [kN]

1000
800
600
400
200
0
0

2
4
6
8
Relative displacement [mm]

10

a)

b)

c)

d)

Force [kN]

1100
900
700
500
300
100
-100
-24 -20 -16 -12 -8 -300
-4 0 4 8 12 16 20 24
-500
-700
S700-F-H-C
-900
S700-F-C
-1100
Relative displacement [mm]

Fig. 5. Contribution of the connectors under monotonic and cyclic loading

For the investigation of the failure mode, two side walls of S460-F-H-M and S460-F-H-C
specimens were removed through flame cutting. A detail of concrete and connector from monotonic
test is shown in Fig. 5b. It can be observed that the concrete was crushed at the contact with the
nails which were bent. A detail of concrete and connector from cyclic test is shown in Fig. 5d.
Under alternating cycles the connectors were sheared at the steel-concrete interface.
3

NUMERICAL INVESTIGATIONS

From the experimental investigations, it was observed that the ultimate capacity of the connectors
was higher than the pure shear capacity of the connectors. For a better understanding of the load
transfer mechanism, numerical investigations were performed with the FEM software Abaqus [12].
The study was focused on one connector and the surrounding steel tube and concrete core. Fig. 6a
shows the modelled part and a vertical cut through the connector. The material model was defined
according to the available data from the experimental tests (for the connector fu = 2360 N/mm2), and
the lateral and bottom deformations of the concrete part were restrained. The force-displacement
curve from simulation is compared in Fig. 6b with the corresponding force-displacement curve of
one connector. A relative good correlation can be observed between test and FE simulation. Fig.
7ab shows the minimum and maximum principal stresses related to a 4 mm relative displacement,
based on which a clear pattern can be observed related to the flow of efforts from the steel tube to
the concrete core. Consequently, the loads are transferred through direct pressure (steel tube / nail /
concrete), combined with tension forces within the nail (see maximum principal stresses) which
increased the increase of capacity over the pure shear capacity of 21.85 kN [11]. The force
computed based on the minimum and maximum principal stresses (developed within the nail at the
steel-concrete interface), and the corresponding orientation of the principal stresses (see Fig. 7c),
evidenced a good correlation with FE simulation and test at a 4 mm relative displacement.
Fconnector = Av S Min , princ cos + Av S Max , princ cos = 15.9 1343.7 + 15.9 563.4 30.32kN

(1)

where: Av is the cross-sectional area of the nail, and are the angles between the minimum and
maximum principal stresses (SMin,princ & SMax,princ) and the horizontal line;
Force [kN]

50
40
30
20
1 X-DSH32 P10
FEM

10
0
0

a)

2
4
6
8
Relative displacement [mm]

10

b)

Fig. 6. a) FE model, b) comparison between test and simulation in terms of force-displacement curve

a)

b)

c)

Fig. 7. a) Minimum & b) Maximum Principal Stresses corresponding to 4 mm relative displacement, c) orientation

CONCLUSIONS

The parameters investigated within the steel-concrete connection tests consisted of loading
procedure (monotonic, cyclic), connection (friction, friction+connectors) and steel grade (S460,

S700). The aim was to assess the efficiency of shot fired nails in providing the connection between
steel tube and concrete core. Consequently, the shear strength that developed through friction was
obtained in amount of 0.4 N/mm2, which is equal to the value recommended by EN 1994-1 [8] for
rectangular hollow sections. In relation to the specific loading (push-out tests), it was observed that
the connectors can take the major shear contribution to the load transfer from steel tube to the
concrete core, in both monotonic and cyclic loading. From the investigation of the behaviour and
failure mode, it was observed that under monotonic loading the concrete was crushed in a small
amount at the contact with the nails which bent. Under alternating cycles the nails eventually
fractured at the interface between concrete and steel tube. In addition it was observed that from the
cyclic loading the capacity of the connectors slightly decreased compared to the monotonic loading.
As previously confirmed by Beck [5], the X-DSH 32 P10 shot fired nails proved a significant
contribution to the steel-concrete connection considering the monotonic loading. In addition, the
current study proved a significant contribution of the connectors also for the case of cyclic loading
conditions and for the use of high strength steel rectangular hollow sections (S460 and S700). Finite
element (FE) simulations evidenced a load transfer mechanism based on direct pressure between
steel tube / nail / concrete, combined with tension forces within the nail which increased the
capacity over the pure shear capacity in amount of 21.85 kN [11]. It is to be mentioned that the
effect of creep and shrinkage was not taken into account within the current study. Therefore, the
future research activities will be devoted to the study of the steel-concrete connection through the
use of shot fired nails under the long term effect of creep and shrinkage.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The present work was supported by the funds of European Project HSS-SERF: "High Strength Steel
in Seismic Resistant Building Frames", Grant No RFSR-CT-2009-00024.

REFERENCES
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555236, 25-27.05.1998.
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