Behavior of circular CFT columns subject to axial force and bending moment

The major objective of this paper is to evaluate the behavior and ultimate resisting capacity of circular CFT columns. To consider the confinement effect, proper material models with respect to the confinement pressure are selected. A fiber section approach is adopted to simulate the nonlinear stress distribution along the section depth. Material nonlinearity due to the cracking of concrete and the yielding of the surrounding steel tube, as well as geometric nonlinearity due to the P-Δ effect, are taken into account. The validity of the proposed numerical analysis model is established by comparing the analytical predictions with the results from previous experimental studies about pure bending and eccentric axial loading. Numerical predictions using an unconfined material model were also compared to investigate the confinement effects on various loading combinations. The ultimate resisting capacities predicted by the proposed numerical model and the design guidelines in Eurocode 4 are compared to evaluate the existing design recommendation.