Journal of Constructional Steel Research 62 (2006) 1310–1324

www.elsevier.com/locate/jcsr

Experimental behaviour of recycled aggregate concrete filled steel tubular

columns
You-Fu Yang a , Lin-Hai Han b,c,∗
a College of Civil Engineering, Fuzhou University, Gongye Road 523, Fuzhou, Fujian Province 350002, People’s Republic of China
b Department of Civil Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, People’s Republic of China
c Key Laboratory of Structural Engineering and Vibration of China Education Ministry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, People’s Republic of China

Received 19 September 2005; accepted 23 February 2006

Abstract

This paper describes a series of tests on steel tubular columns of circular and square section filled with normal concrete and recycled aggregate
concrete. Thirty specimens, including 24 recycled aggregate concrete filled steel tubular (RACFST) columns and 6 normal concrete filled steel
tubular (CFST) columns, were tested to investigate the influence of variations in the tube shape, circular or square, concrete type, normal concrete
and recycled aggregate concrete, and load eccentricity ratio, from 0 to 0.53 on the performance of such composite columns. The test results show
that both types of filled columns failed due to overall buckling. Comparisons are made with predicted ultimate strengths of RACFST columns using
the existing codes, such as ACI 318-1999, AIJ-1997, AISC-LRFD-1999, BS5400-1979, DBJ13-51-2003 and EC4-1994. A theoretical model for
normal CFST columns is adopted in this paper for RACFST columns. The predicted load versus deformation relationships are in good agreement
with test results.
c 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Keywords: Recycled aggregate concrete filled steel tube (RACFST); Recycled aggregate concrete (RAC); Composite columns; Composite action; Ultimate strength;
Design codes

1. Introduction
Hollow structural steel (HSS) sections are often filled with
concrete to form a composite column. Such kinds of composite
columns have been the interest of structural engineers for
their high load bearing capacity, saving formwork, small
cross section over reinforced concrete structures, and high fire
resistance over the steel structures (ASCCS [6]).
Recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) can be recognized as a
new kind of concrete construction, in which broken pieces of
waste concrete are used as aggregate. Due to the low strength
and elastic modulus, bad workability, high water infiltration and
high shrinkage and creep of RAC, they are only used as non-
structural concrete mostly (Ajdukiewicz and Kliszczewicz [5],
Sagoe-Crentsil et al. [18]). However, RAC is well recognized
in view of its low thermal conductivity, low brittleness as
∗ Corresponding author at: Department of Civil Engineering, Tsinghua
University, Beijing 100084, People’s Republic of China. Tel.: +86 10
62797067; fax: +86 10 62781488.
E-mail address: lhhan@mail.tsinghua.edu.cn (L.-H. Han).
well as the low specific gravity that reduces the self-weight
of the structures. Most importantly, the use of RAC can save
natural resources and protect our living environment (Katz
[15]; Topçu and Sengel [20]). When the recycled aggregate
concrete is deployed in a new construction, the consequences
of its weakness need to be reduced or avoided. Recycled
aggregate concrete filled steel tube (RACFST), which places
the recycled aggregate concrete in the state of confinement and
protection of an outer steel tube, is less likely to be affected by
harmful environment factors, i.e. water, temperature and winds,
as experienced in the case of reinforced concrete structures.
In the past, there are a large number of studies on normal
concrete filled steel tubular (CFST) columns (Schneider [19]);
however, little research has been conducted on RACFST
columns. Konno et al. [16] studied the behaviours of
confined recycled aggregate concrete columns subjected to
axial compression. It was found that the new composite column,
where the progress of fractures is faster than in the confined
normal concrete column, has enough capacity to be utilized
though its stiffness and ultimate strength are smaller than those

0143-974X/$ - see front matter 

c 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.jcsr.2006.02.010
 Y.-F. Yang, L.-H. Han / Journal of Constructional Steel Research 62 (2006) 1310–1324 1311

Nomenclature
CFST Concrete filled steel tube
CHS Circular hollow section
D Sectional dimension, in mm
e Eccentricity of load, in mm
e/ro Load eccentricity ratio, ro = D/2
Ec Concrete modulus of elasticity, in MPa
Es Steel modulus of elasticity, in MPa
f cu Characteristic 28-day concrete cube strength, in
MPa
f sy Yielding strength of steel, in MPa Fig. 2. Layout of the column test.
H Distance away from the bottom support, in mm
HSS Hollow structural steel
L Effective buckling length of column in the plane
of bending, in mm
N Axial load, in kN
NCA Natural coarse aggregate
Nuc Predicted ultimate strength, in kN
Nue Experimental ultimate strength, in kN
RAC Recycled aggregate concrete
RACFST Recycled aggregate concrete filled steel tube
RCA Recycled coarse aggregate
SHS Square hollow section
SI Strength index
t Wall thickness of steel tube, in mm
um Mid-height lateral deflection of the column, in
mm
δ Axial shortening, in mm
ε Strain
σ Stress (a) Circular specimen. (b) Square specimen.

Fig. 3. A general view of the specimen after test.

Table 1
Steel properties

Steel Dimension Yielding Tensile Yielding Modulus of

section of section strength strength ratio elasticity E s
D × t (mm) f sy (MPa) f u (MPa) Y ( f sy / f u ) (MPa)
CHS -165 × 2.57 343.1 423.6 0.81 1.79 × 105
SHS -150 × 2.94 344.4 450.5 0.76 2.07 × 105
(a) Circular section. (b) Square section.

Fig. 1. Cross-sectional dimension of the test specimens.
of the confined normal concrete columns. Konno et al. [17]
performed studies on the strength and the deformational ability
of RACFST, and the conclusions were that the deformational
behaviour of RACFST was similar to that of CFST and the
stiffness of RACFST could be predicted approximately with
consideration of the Young’s modulus of RAC, which was
lower than that of normal concrete.
This paper studies the behaviour of RACFST columns with
the cold-formed HSS tube being used. A series of tests were
carried out on 30 composite columns. The main parameters
varied in the tests are: (1) tube shape, circular or square, (2)
concrete type, normal concrete or recycled aggregate concrete,
and (3) load eccentricity ratio (e/ro , ro is given by D/2),
from 0 to 0.53. Comparisons are made with predicted ultimate
strengths of RACFST columns using the existing codes, such as
ACI 318-99 [2], AIJ [3], AISC-LRFD [4], BS5400 [7], DBJ13-
51-2003 [8] and EC4 [9]. A theoretical model for normal CFST
columns is adopted in this paper for RACFST columns. The
predicted load versus deformation relationships are in good
agreement with the test results.
2. Experimental investigation
2.1. Material properties
Standard tensile coupon tests were conducted to measure
material properties of the steel tubes. Three coupons were taken
from each kind of steel tube, and for the square steel tube, the
1312 Y.-F. Yang, L.-H. Han / Journal of Constructional Steel Research 62 (2006) 1310–1324

Table 2
The mix proportions and properties of the new concrete

Type of Cement Sand NCA RCA Water W/C 28-day cube Test-day cube Modulus of Slump
concrete (kg/m3 ) (kg/m3 ) (kg/m3 ) (kg/m3 ) (kg/m3 ) strength, f cu (MPa)  (MPa)
strength, f cu elasticity, E c (MPa) (mm)
Normal 414 630 1170 – 207 0.5 42.7 50.8 2.75 × 104 40
concrete
Recycled 414 630 878 292 207 0.5 41.8 46.7 2.61 × 104 35
aggregate (25%)
concrete 414 630 585 585 207 0.5 36.6 44.1 2.46 × 104 33
(50%)

Table 3
Specimen labels and member capacities

Section types No. Specimen labels D × t (mm) L (mm) e (mm) e/ro Nue (kN) SLI (%)
Measured value Average value
1 CA0 -165 × 2.57 1650 0 0 1217 1217 –
2 CA1-1 -165 × 2.57 1650 0 0 1158
-165 × 2.57
1158 4.8
3 CA1-2 1650 0 0 1158
4 CA2-1 -165 × 2.57 1650 0 0 1090
-165 × 2.57
1106.5 9.1
5 CA2-2 1650 0 0 1123
6 CB0 -165 × 2.57 1650 20 0.24 877 877 –
Circular 7 CB1-1 -165 × 2.57 1650 20 0.24 817
-165 × 2.57
836 4.7
8 CB1-2 1650 20 0.24 855
9 CB2-1 -165 × 2.57 1650 20 0.24 795
-165 × 2.57
800 8.8
10 CB2-2 1650 20 0.24 805
11 CC0 -165 × 2.57 1650 40 0.48 615 615 –
12 CC1-1 -165 × 2.57 1650 40 0.48 602
604.5 1.7
13 CC1-2 -165 × 2.57 1650 40 0.48 607
14 CC2-1 -165 × 2.57 1650 40 0.48 600
601 2.3
15 CC2-2 -165 × 2.57 1650 40 0.48 602

1 SA0 -150 × 2.94 1732 0 0 1285 1285 –

2 SA1-1 -150 × 2.94 1732 0 0 1260
1266.5 1.4
3 SA1-2 -150 × 2.94 1732 0 0 1273
4 SA2-1 -150 × 2.94 1732 0 0 1252
1248.5 2.8
5 SA2-2 -150 × 2.94 1732 0 0 1245
6 SB0 -150 × 2.94 1732 20 0.27 910 910 –
Square 7 SB1-1 -150 × 2.94 1732 20 0.27 842
858.5 5.7
8 SB1-2 -150 × 2.94 1732 20 0.27 875
9 SB2-1 -150 × 2.94 1732 20 0.27 825
830 8.8
10 SB2-2 -150 × 2.94 1732 20 0.27 835
11 SC0 -150 × 2.94 1732 40 0.53 740 740 –
12 SC1-1 -150 × 2.94 1732 40 0.53 686
659 10.9
13 SC1-2 -150 × 2.94 1732 40 0.53 632
14 SC2-1 -150 × 2.94 1732 40 0.53 625
640 13.5
15 SC2-2 -150 × 2.94 1732 40 0.53 655

coupons were cut from the flat part of the tube. The 0.2% proof
stress was adopted as the yielding strength. From these tests,
the average yielding strength ( f sy ), tensile strength ( f u ), and
modulus of elasticity (E s ) of the steel tubes are listed in Table 1.
Three types of concrete mixes were prepared. The mix was
designed for compressive cube strength ( f cu ) at 28 days of
approximately 40 MPa. In producing RAC, in place of natural
coarse aggregate (NCA), portions of 25% and 50% recycled
coarse aggregate (RCA) were added as coarse aggregate. RCA
were obtained by crushing waste concrete, which was taken
from failure CFST specimens, and sieving with a mesh square
of 26.5 mm. The compressive cube strength of the waste
concrete was about 50 MPa. The unit weight of RCA was
2470 kg/m3 , bulk density 1260 kg/m3 , crushing value 19.7%
and water absorption 8.43%. As for NCA, the unit weight was
2600 kg/m3 , bulk density 1420 kg/m3 , crushing value 15.3%
and water absorption 0.42%. All specimens were cast from one
batch of concrete. Several 150 mm cubes and 150 mm×300 mm
prisms were also cast from the concrete and cured in conditions
similar to the corresponding composite columns.
 Y.-F. Yang, L.-H. Han / Journal of Constructional Steel Research 62 (2006) 1310–1324 1313

(a) CA series. (a) SA series.

(b) CB series. (b) SB series.

(c) CC series. (c) SC series.

Fig. 4. Failure modes of tested specimens (circular specimens). Fig. 5. Failure modes of tested specimens (square specimens).

The mix proportions and properties of the new concrete was produced in RAC by raising the extent of RCA in the
were summarized in Table 2. The workability of fresh concrete, mixture. Although the slump value of RAC is lower than that of
expressed in terms of slump values, was also summarized normal concrete, there was no difficulty in achieving the desired
in Table 2. It can be seen that a reduction of slump values uniformity and subsequent compactness of RAC.
1314 Y.-F. Yang, L.-H. Han / Journal of Constructional Steel Research 62 (2006) 1310–1324

(a) CB1-1.
(a) CA series.

(b) SB1-1.
(b) CB series.
Fig. 6. Lateral deflection curves of test specimens.

In all the concrete mixes, the fine aggregate used was

siliceous sand, and the NCA was carbonate stone.

2.2. Specimen preparations

A total of 30 composite columns, including 24 RACFST

columns and 6 corresponding normal CFST columns were
tested. A summary of all specimens is presented in Table 3,
where the section sizes and load eccentricity ratios (e/ro )
are given. The main experimental parameters are listed below,
along with the labels used to characterize each specimen:
• Section shape (C = circular, S = square);
• Eccentricity of load (A: e = 0 mm, B: e = 20 mm, C: (c) CC series.
e = 40 mm);
• Filled concrete type (0 = normal concrete, 1 = recycled Fig. 7. Axial load (N )–axial shortening (δ) responses (circular specimens).
aggregate concrete containing 25% RCA, 2 = recycled
aggregate concrete containing 50% RCA).
For example, the specimen beginning with the label “CB1-1” square sections respectively; t is the wall thickness of steel tube.
would be the first circular composite column filled with The tubes were all manufactured from long cold-formed HSS
recycled aggregate concrete containing 25% RCA, and its load columns, and the ends of the steel tubes were cut and machined
eccentricity is 20 mm. to the required length. The insides of the tubes were wire
Fig. 1 shows the cross section of the test specimens, where brushed to remove any rust and loose debris present. Deposits
D is the diameter or the width of the steel tube with circular or of grease and oil, if any, were cleaned away.
 Y.-F. Yang, L.-H. Han / Journal of Constructional Steel Research 62 (2006) 1310–1324
(a) SA series.
(b) SB series.
(c) SC series.
Fig. 8. Axial load (N )–axial shortening (δ) responses (square specimens).
The concrete was filled in layers and was vibrated by a poker
vibrator. The specimens were placed upright to air-cure at room
temperature until testing. During curing, a very small amount
of longitudinal shrinkage of 0.8 mm or so occurred at the top
of the columns. A high-strength epoxy was used to fill this
longitudinal gap so that the concrete surface was flush with the
steel tube at the top.
1315
Prior to testing, the top surfaces of the specimens were
ground smooth and flat using a grinding wheel with diamond
cutters. A horizontal ruler was used to check for the flatness.
This was to ensure that the load was applied evenly across the
cross section and simultaneously to the steel and concrete.
2.3. Test procedures
The experimental study was to determine not only the
maximum load capacity of the specimens, but also to
investigate the failure pattern up to and beyond the ultimate
load. All the tests were performed on a 5000 kN capacity
universal testing machine, and the test data were collected by
an IMP data acquisition system.
The columns were tested as pin-ended supported (Han and
Yao [10]). The desired eccentricity was achieved by accurately
machining grooves 6 mm deep into the stiff end plate that
was welded to the steel tubes. For the pure axial compression
column, the groove was in the middle of the plate. The endplate
was very stiff with a thickness of 16 mm. The axial load was
applied through a very stiff top platen with an offset triangle
hinge, which also allowed specimen rotation to simulate pin-
ended supports.
Both the endplate and the top platen were made of very hard
and very high strength steel.
Eight strain gauges were used for each specimen to measure
the longitudinal and transverse strains at the mid-height. Three
linear voltage displacement transducers (LVDTs) were used
along the specimen height to monitor the lateral deflections.
Two displacement transducers, at the end of the specimen, were
used to monitor the axial shortening, shown as in Fig. 2.
A load interval of less than one tenth of the estimated load
capacity was used. Each load interval was maintained for about
2–3 min. At each load increment the strain readings and the
deflection measurements were recorded. All specimens were
loaded to failure. Each test took approximately 30 min to reach
the maximum load and 1.5 h to complete. All the tests were
completed within 3 days.
2.4. Test results
All the test specimens behaved in a relatively ductile manner
and testing proceeded in a smooth and controlled fashion.
Typical failure modes of HSS columns filled with normal
concrete and recycled aggregate concrete were all overall
buckling. Fig. 3 gives a general view of the specimens after test.
When the load was small, the lateral deflection of the specimen
at middle height was small and approximately proportional to
the applied load. When the load reached about 60%–70% of the
maximum load, the lateral deflection at middle height started
to increase significantly. Figs. 4 and 5 show the failure modes
of all tested specimens. It can be seen that, generally, for the
circular specimens and square specimens filled with normal
concrete and recycled aggregate concrete containing 25% RCA,
the buckle is formed near the center without reference to load
eccentricity ratio. However, for square specimens filled with
recycled aggregate concrete containing 50% RCA, buckling
1316 Y.-F. Yang, L.-H. Han / Journal of Constructional Steel Research 62 (2006) 1310–1324

Fig. 9. Load (N ) versus mid-height lateral deflection (u m ) curves (circular specimens).

is formed near the top or the bottom of the columns. This
may be explained by the compactness of recycled aggregate
concrete containing 25% RCA is similar to that of normal
concrete; nevertheless, the compactness of recycled aggregate
concrete containing 50% RCA is somewhat lower than the
normal concrete. And the constraining effect of a circular steel
tube is better than a square steel tube (ASCCS [6]).
During the test, the deflection curve was approximately in
the shape of a half sine wave. Specimens CB1-1 and SB1-1 are
selected to illustrate the lateral deflection development of the
composite columns with different axial load level (n) before
and after peak load, as shown in Fig. 6, where n is given by
N/Nue . The sinusoids with the same values in the middle height
are also shown in Fig. 6 using dashed lines. This indicates
the validity of the assumption of ‘the deflection curve of the
member is a half sine wave’, which is adopted in the theoretical
model of this paper and the literature (Han and Yao [11]; Han
et al. [14]).
Typical axial load (N) versus axial shortening (δ) responses
of the composite columns are shown in Figs. 7 and 8. It can
be seen that the ultimate strength of the columns filled with
recycled aggregate concrete is lower than the corresponding
normal CFST columns, and generally RACFST columns
undergo higher deformation than normal CFST columns.
The load (N) versus lateral deflection (u m ) responses of
normal CFST and RACFST columns are presented in Figs. 9
and 10, where u m is the lateral deflection at mid-height of the
column. It can be found that the type of in-fill concrete almost
has no influence on the shape of N–u m curves of the composite
columns. The ultimate loads (Nue ) of RACFST columns
are lower than the corresponding normal CFST specimens,
and the value of Nue decreases with the increasing of the
 Y.-F. Yang, L.-H. Han / Journal of Constructional Steel Research 62 (2006) 1310–1324
Fig. 9. (continued)
load eccentricity ratio. No local buckling was found in the
compression zone of a steel tube before achieving the ultimate
strength. The ultimate loads (Nue ) obtained in the test are
summarized in Table 3. The axial load (N) versus extreme
longitudinal fibre tensile and compressive strain relationships
are shown in Figs. 11 and 12. It can be seen that both
normal CFST and RACFST columns show similar behaviour.
In general, the strain corresponding to the ultimate strength
increases with the increase of the load eccentricity ratio. For
circular specimens, the compressive strain corresponding to the
ultimate strength exceeds the steel yielding strain. However, for
square specimens, the strain is close to the steel yielding strain.
This indicates that the specimens with larger load eccentricity
ratio show more ductility. The composite action between steel
tube and core concrete can improve the performance of such
composite columns and the confinement of circular steel tube
to core concrete is better than that of a square steel tube.
During the test, the cross sections remain plane. Specimens
CB1-1 and SB1-1 are also selected to illustrate the compressive
strain, tensile strain and centroid axes strain development of
the composite columns with different axial load level (n)
before and after peak load, as shown in Fig. 13, where n is
given by N/Nue , and x represents the position of longitudinal
strain gauges at the mid-height section of the specimens. This
indicates that, generally, the assumption of “cross-sections
remain plane” adopted in the theoretical model of this paper and
the literature (Han and Yao [11]; Han et al. [14]) is reasonable.
Figs. 14 and 15 show the differences in the ultimate strength
(Nue ) of the columns with normal concrete and recycled
1317
aggregate concrete containing different amounts of RCA, where
specimens with normal concrete were expressed as “NC”,
while “25% RCA” and “50% RCA” were used to indicate
the RACFST columns containing 25% RCA and 50% RCA
respectively.
3. Analysis of test results and discussions
For convenience of comparisons of the ultimate strength
of the composite columns with normal concrete and recycled
aggregate concrete, the strength index (SI) is defined as follows:
Nue0 − Nue1 (or Nue2 )
SI = (1)
Nue0
where, Nue0 are member capacities of the specimens with
normal concrete; Nue1 and Nue2 are member capacities of the
specimens with recycled aggregate concrete containing 25%
RCA and 50% RCA respectively.
The strength index (SI) so determined is listed in Table 3, in
the calculations, Nue1 and Nue2 are taken as the average value
of member capacities of the tested specimens.
The results summarized in Table 3 clearly show that,
generally, specimens with normal concrete result in higher
ultimate strengths. It was found that the ultimate strengths
(Nue ) of the members with normal concrete were 1.7% to
9.1%, and 1.4% to 13.5% higher than those of circular and
square RACFST columns containing 25% RCA and 50% RCA
respectively. Simultaneously, on the test day, the cube strength
of normal concrete was 8.1% and 13.2% higher than that of
1318 Y.-F. Yang, L.-H. Han / Journal of Constructional Steel Research 62 (2006) 1310–1324

Fig. 10. Load (N ) versus mid-height lateral deflection (u m ) curves (square specimens).

the recycled aggregate concrete containing 25% RCA and 50%
RCA respectively. The lowering in bearing capacity of recycled
aggregate concrete in-fill columns can be attributed to the lower
strength of recycled aggregate concrete as compared to normal
concrete.
The member capacities of RACFST columns predicted using
the following six design methods are compared with the column
test results obtained in the current tests, i.e.
• ACI318-99 [2]
• AIJ [3]
• AISC-LRFD [4]
• BS5400 [7]
• DBJ13-51-2003 [8] (The equations were listed in detail in
Han et al. [12,13])
• EC4 [9].
In all design calculations, the material partial safety factors
were set to unity.
Predicted member capacities (Nuc ) using the different
methods are compared with test results (Nue ) in Tables 4 and
5 for specimens with circular and square sections respectively.
For the eccentrically loaded RACFST columns, Nuc was
predicted by replacing the end moment with Nuc · e in the
interaction flexure and compression equations of the above six
design codes.
Results in Table 4 show that ACI 318-99, AIJ, AISC-
LRFD, BS5400 and DBJ13-51-2003 are conservative for
predicting the member capacities of the circular specimens with
different RCA contents and load eccentricity ratio. Overall,
AISC-LRFD, ACI 318-99 and DBJ13-51-2003 give a member
capacity about 25%, 17% and 11% lower than the results
obtained in the tests. However, EC4 gives a member capacity
 Y.-F. Yang, L.-H. Han / Journal of Constructional Steel Research 62 (2006) 1310–1324 1319

Fig. 10. (continued)

Table 4
Comparison between predicted member capacities and test results (circular specimens)

No. Specimen Nue ACI 318-99 AIJ (1997) AISC-LRFD BS5400 (1979) DBJ13-51-2003 EC4 (1994)
(kN) (1999) (1999) (2003)
Nuc N uc Nuc N uc Nuc N uc Nuc N uc Nuc N uc Nuc N uc
N ue N ue N ue N ue N ue N ue
(kN) (kN) (kN) (kN) (kN) (kN)
1 CA1-1 1158 757 0.654 1092 0.943 1022 0.883 1188 1.026 1067 0.921 1132 0.978
2 CA1-2 1158 757 0.654 1092 0.943 1022 0.883 1188 1.026 1067 0.921 1132 0.978
3 CA2-1 1090 736 0.675 1055 0.968 988 0.906 1155 1.06 1039 0.953 1091 1.001
4 CA2-2 1123 736 0.655 1055 0.939 988 0.88 1155 1.028 1039 0.925 1091 0.972
5 CB1-1 817 757 0.927 733 0.897 574 0.703 715 0.875 710 0.869 889 1.088
6 CB1-2 855 757 0.885 733 0.857 574 0.671 715 0.836 710 0.83 889 1.04
7 CB2-1 795 736 0.926 708 0.891 563 0.708 698 0.878 693 0.872 860 1.082
8 CB2-2 805 736 0.914 708 0.88 563 0.699 698 0.867 693 0.861 860 1.068
9 CC1-1 602 562 0.934 580 0.963 399 0.663 512 0.85 535 0.889 673 1.118
10 CC1-2 607 562 0.926 580 0.956 399 0.657 512 0.843 535 0.881 673 1.109
11 CC2-1 600 549 0.915 562 0.937 394 0.657 500 0.833 522 0.87 658 1.097
12 CC2-2 602 549 0.912 562 0.934 394 0.654 500 0.831 522 0.867 658 1.093

Mean value 0.831 0.926 0.747 0.913 0.888 1.052

COV 0.128 0.036 0.106 0.092 0.035 0.055

(Coefficient of variation)

about 5% higher than these of the measured ultimate strength,
and is an unsafe predictor. The design methods proposed by
BS5400 predicted a slightly lower capacity than the test results.
Overall, the proposed method by AIJ gives a mean of 0.926 and
a COV of 0.036, and is the best predictor to predict the ultimate
capacity of circular HSS columns filled with recycled aggregate
concrete.
Results in Table 5 clearly show that ACI 318-99, AIJ,
AISC-LRFD, BS5400 and DBJ13-51-2003 are conservative for
predicting the member capacities of the square specimens with
different RCA contents and load eccentricity ratio. Overall,
AISC-LRFD and BS5400 give a member capacity about 14%
and 10% lower than the results obtained in the tests. However,
EC4 gives a member capacity about 12% higher than these
1320 Y.-F. Yang, L.-H. Han / Journal of Constructional Steel Research 62 (2006) 1310–1324

(a) e/ro = 0. (b) e/ro = 0.24.

(c) e/ro = 0.48.

Fig. 11. Axial load versus extreme fibre strains at mid-height of test specimens (circular specimens).

Table 5
Comparison between predicted member capacities and test results (square specimens)

No. Specimen Nue ACI 318-99 AIJ (1997) AISC-LRFD BS5400 (1979) DBJ13-51-2003 EC4 (1994)
(kN) (1999) (1999) (2003)
Nuc N uc Nuc N uc Nuc N uc Nuc N uc Nuc N uc Nuc N uc
N ue N ue N ue N ue N ue N ue
(kN) (kN) (kN) (kN) (kN) (kN)
1 SA1-1 1260 906 0.719 1227 0.974 1180 0.937 1165 0.925 1178 0.935 1303 1.034
2 SA1-2 1273 906 0.712 1227 0.964 1180 0.927 1165 0.915 1178 0.925 1303 1.024
3 SA2-1 1252 883 0.705 1189 0.95 1145 0.915 1131 0.903 1147 0.916 1262 1.008
4 SA2-2 1245 883 0.709 1189 0.955 1145 0.92 1131 0.908 1147 0.921 1262 1.014
5 SB1-1 842 900 1.069 863 1.025 720 0.855 770 0.914 821 0.975 993 1.179
6 SB1-2 875 900 1.029 863 0.986 720 0.823 770 0.88 821 0.938 993 1.135
7 SB2-1 825 877 1.063 838 1.016 707 0.857 751 0.91 801 0.971 962 1.166
8 SB2-2 835 877 1.05 838 1.004 707 0.847 751 0.899 801 0.959 962 1.152
9 SC1-1 686 685 0.999 679 0.99 518 0.755 575 0.838 632 0.921 780 1.137
10 SC1-2 632 685 1.084 679 1.074 518 0.82 575 0.91 632 1.00 780 1.234
11 SC2-1 625 670 1.072 660 1.056 511 0.818 563 0.901 618 0.989 762 1.219
12 SC2-2 655 670 1.023 660 1.008 511 0.780 563 0.86 618 0.944 762 1.163

Mean value 0.936 1.000 0.855 0.897 0.95 1.122

COV 0.168 0.039 0.06 0.025 0.029 0.081

(Coefficient of variation)

of the measured result, and gives an unsafe prediction. The predict a slightly lower capacity than the test results. Overall,
design methods proposed by ACI 318-99 and DBJ13-51-2003 the proposed method by AIJ gives a mean of 1.0 and a COV of
 Y.-F. Yang, L.-H. Han / Journal of Constructional Steel Research 62 (2006) 1310–1324 1321

(a) e/ro = 0. (b) e/ro = 0.27.

(c) e/ro = 0.53.

Fig. 12. Axial load versus extreme fibre strains at mid-height of test specimens (square specimens).

(a) CB1-1. (b) SB1-1.

Fig. 13. Distribution of the strain across the section of the mid-height of test specimens.

0.039, and is the best predictor to predict the ultimate strength
of square HSS columns filled with recycled aggregate concrete.
For comparison purposes, the load versus lateral deflection
curves at mid-height (plotted as dashed lines) predicted using
a mechanics model, which has been described in detail by Han
and Yao [11] and Han et al. [14] for normal CFST columns, are
compared with the test results of RACFST columns obtained
in current tests in Figs. 9 and 10. Due to page limitations,
only two figures for the comparisons between the predicted and
measured axial load versus extreme fibre strains are given in
this paper, as shown in Fig. 16.
In the calculations, the idealized elastoplastic stress–strain
model, based on the test results for both the flat zone and the
corner zone of cold-formed steel section, proposed by Abdel-
Rahman and Sivakumaran [1], has been used for the square
steel tube, as shown in Fig. 17, where f sy is the yielding
1322 Y.-F. Yang, L.-H. Han / Journal of Constructional Steel Research 62 (2006) 1310–1324
(a) e/ro = 0.
(c) e/ro = 0.48.
Fig. 14. Influences of concrete type on the member capacities (circular specimens).
strength of steel and f sp (=0.75 f sy) is the proportional limit
stress. In this model, the strain hardening and the corner effects
of a cold-formed steel tube are taken into account. The curve
consists of three stages: the elastic stage (from point o to point
a), the elastoplastic stage (from point a to point c) and the strain
hardening stage (from point c to point d). The elastoplastic
stage is idealized using a bilinear representation between f sp
and f sy with an intermediate stress f sm (corresponding to point
b) being the half value between fsp and f sy . The modulus in
the strain hardening stage (E 1 ) is taken as 0.0075E s, where
E s denotes the modulus of elasticity of steel, and is taken as
206,000 MPa in this paper.
The equation for the increase in the yielding strength of
the corner zone is as follows (Abdel-Rahman and Sivakumaran
[1]):
Δ f sy (corner zone) = 0.6[Bc · (r/t)−m − 1] · f sy
where, Bc and m is the factor related to the yielding strength and
the tensile strength of the steel, r is the inside bending radius of
the corner, and t is the wall thickness of a square steel tube.
It can be found that, generally, good agreement is obtained
between the predicted and tested results. The mechanics model
developed for normal CFST columns is thus acceptable for
(b) e/ro = 0.24.
the analysis of HSS columns filled with recycled aggregate
concrete.
4. Conclusions
The present study is an attempt to study the possibility
of using hollow structural steel columns filled with recycled
aggregate concrete in practice. Based on the results of this
study, the following conclusions can be drawn within the scope
of these tests:
(1) The typical failure modes of RACFST columns are similar
to those of the normal CFST columns. They were all overall
buckling failure. The ultimate capacities of such composite
columns decreased with the increase in load eccentricity
ratio.
(2) The recycled aggregate concrete in-fill columns have
(2) slightly lower but comparable ultimate capacities compared
with the specimens filled with normal concrete. It was
found that, in general, the ultimate capacities of the mem-
bers with normal concrete were 1.7%–9.1% higher than
those of circular columns with recycled aggregate concrete
containing 25% recycled coarse aggregate and 50% recy-
cled coarse aggregate, and for square specimens, the ranges
are 1.4%–13.5%. The lowering in capacities of RACFST
 Y.-F. Yang, L.-H. Han / Journal of Constructional Steel Research 62 (2006) 1310–1324 1323

(a) e/ro = 0. (b) e/ro = 0.27.

(c) e/ro = 0.53.

Fig. 15. Influences of concrete type on the member capacities (square specimens).

Fig. 16. Comparison of relationships of axial load versus extreme fibre strains at mid-height between calculated results and tested ones.

columns can be attributed to the lower strength of recycled
aggregate concrete as compared to the normal concrete.
(3) Generally, both ACI 318-99, AIJ, AISC-LRFD, BS5400
and DBJ13-51-2003 methods are conservative for predict-
ing the strengths of circular and square composite columns
filled with recycled aggregate concrete. However, EC4
gives a member capacity about 5% and 12% higher than
the experimental result for circular and square RACFST
columns respectively, and gives an unsafe prediction.
(4) It was found that, in general, the mechanics model devel-
oped for normal CFST columns is acceptable for the calcu-
lations of RACFST columns.
1324 Y.-F. Yang, L.-H. Han / Journal of Constructional Steel Research 62 (2006) 1310–1324
Fig. 17. Idealized stress–strain model for square steel tube.
Acknowledgements
The tests reported herein were made possible by the National
Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 50425823), the
Start-Up Fund for Outstanding Incoming Researchers Project
of Tsinghua University, the Education Bureau fund of Fujian
Province (JB05060), and the Science and Technology Fund
of Fuzhou University (2004-XQ-19). The financial support is
highly appreciated. The authors also wish to thank Mr. Bo
Zhang, Mr. Xin Ye and Miss Feng-Ying Wu for their assistance
in the experiments.
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