RELIABILITY ANALYSIS OF COMPOSITE COLUMNS

Abstract

Composite columns have become increasingly popular in structural applications all over the world. Concrete encased steel composite columns have become the preferred structural form for many earthquake resistant structures. Increased strength for a given external dimension, increased stiffness, good fire resistance and connections via steel section are advantages of composite columns. Furthermore, inward buckling of the steel section is prevented by the concrete core, thus increasing the stability and the strength of the column as a system. Many researchers have worked on concrete encased steel section and concrete filled hollow section but research has to be done on the use of concrete encased in-built steel sections and this thesis is a step in this direction. The present investigation shows the behaviour of each component and reliability analysis of concrete encased in-built steel section. A generalised computer Program in 'C' language based on Monte Carlo simulation is developed for the computation of reliability index and probability of failure. Effect of the increasing load on the steel contribution ratio is also analysed in the present study. The present work analyses the test results with the design model of composite columns as per EC-4 approach and calculation of reliability index and probability of failure for composite column. Results are compared with other types of composite columns.