The Seismic Performance Analysis of H-Shaped Steel PEC Columns

Abstract

The H-shaped steel PEC columns with concrete poured between flanges are different from the traditional steel-encased concrete columns. In this paper, the behaviors of H-shaped steel PEC columns with different parameters under axial loading and cycling loading have been simulated by using commercial software ANSYS. The results show: The fracture of the columns under axial loading and cycling loading mainly lies in the crush of concrete at the bottom of the columns. Because of the confined effect of steel, the stress distribution of specimens under axial loading display a V-shape. With the increment of the width of flanges, the confined effect becomes more obvious. Compared with H section steel columns, the bearing capacity has been increased. With the increment of axial compression ratio, the capacity has declined. The behaviors of the ductility and the energy dissipation capacity of H section steel PEC columns are good and dropped with the increment of axial compression ratio. At the initial stage, the average stiffness degenerates slowly. However, at the later stage, the average stiffness degenerates rapidly. Moreover, the degeneration becomes faster with the increment of compression ratio. The elastic stage, elastic-plastic stage and plastic stage are included in the skeleton curves. This study on the H-shaped steel PEC columns has important practical implications to the engineering.