Experimental study on the lateral behavior of DSCT columns with corrugated inner tube

Abstract

A double-skinned composite tubular column with a corrugated internal tube (DSCT-CT) was suggested to reduce the thickness of the inner tube while maintaining the required buckling strength. The DSCT-CT was studied to evaluate its behavior under lateral loading, and its lateral behavior was compared with that of a DSCT column with a flat internal tube (DSCT-FT). Quasi-static tests were performed by applying cyclic lateral loadings to the two different DSCT columns. Their test results were compared to each other and to those of a solid RC column from other research. The test results showed that the DSCT-CT column had larger ductility than the DSCT-FT column, with an equivalent damping ratio. However, the DSCT-CT column showed a smaller bending moment resistance and energy-absorbing capacity than the DSCT-FT column. Overall, the test results showed that the performances of the DSCT columns were superior to that of the solid RC column in terms of strength, yield energy, ultimate energy, and energy-absorbing capacity. As a result of their superior moment capacities, the DSCT columns absorbed about 50 % more energy than the solid RC column. However, the DSCT columns showed lower energy ductility factors than the solid RC column because of their high yield energies.