Flexural buckling performance of concrete-filled aluminium alloy tubular columns

The use of aluminium alloys as a structural material has recently increased because their advantageous properties such high strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance. However, due to low Modulus Elasticity, instability is major concern for alloy members subjected compression. One the ways improve performance hollow sections on this count have concrete infill within them. Past research studies demonstrated potential concrete-filled tubular (CFAT) stub columns beams improved performance, but there still no reported CFAT slender columns. This paper presents an experimental numerical investigation response square rectangular under axial A series 18 tests were carried out, including 9 bare (BAT) reference purpose. had pin-ended boundary conditions allowing rotation about minor axis. tubes made 6082-T6 heat-treated filled with concrete. failure modes, ultimate strengths load versus mid-height lateral displacement curves are reported. Finite element models developed validated against test results. parametric study was subsequently conducted buckling behaviour range cross-sections strengths. results utilised assess Eurocode design equations Class It shown that current codified underestimate actual strength BAT new curve improving accuracy proposed. In absence provisions columns, methodology European standards composite steel-concrete steel replaced by those adopted. Finally, basis suitable