Vol. 22, No. 2, pp. 198-207 (2026)
NUMERICAL STUDY ON STIFFENED CONCRETE-FILLED DOUBLE
STEEL TUBE SQUARE COLUMNS BEHAVIOUR
Mohamed Ghannam 1, * and Md Kamrul Hassan 2
1 Associate professor in Structural Engineering Departement, Faculty of Engineering, Mansoura University,
Mansoura, Dakahlia 35516, Egypt
2 Seniour Lecturer in Fire Safety Engineering, School of Engineering, Design and Built Environment,
Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia
*(Corresponding author: E-mail:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
Received: 25 June 2025; Revised: 2 January 2026; Accepted: 2 January 2026
DOI:10.18057/IJASC.2026.22.2.6
 View Article |
Export Citation: Plain Text | RIS | Endnote |
ABSTRACT
Nowadays, more research has been done to investigate the behaviour of concrete filled double steel tube (CFDT) columns owing to the numerous advantages over concrete-filled steel tube (CFST) columns. Very few studies have focused on the behaviour of stiffened CFDT columns. This research gap is aimed to be covered in this paper, by studying the behaviour of CFDT columns under axial loads using different stiffener profiles that are welded to the inner and outer tubes. The performance of square-stiffened CFDT columns is investigated using the finite element (FE) method. Three types of stiffeners were studied: rectangular, inclined, and tie stiffeners. The verified FE model is used to study the effect of different parameters on the behaviour of stiffened CFDT columns. The results show that using tie stiffeners give the most increase in the ultimate axial load capacity by more than 15%. A simplified analytical model is presented to predict the axial load capacity of stiffened CFDT columns using tie stiffeners.
KEYWORDS
Stiffened concrete filled double, Steel tube columns, Load capacity, Stiffeners, Finite element model, Analytical model
REFERENCES
[1] Romero ML, Espinos A, Portolés JM, Hospitaler A, Ibañez C. Slender double-tube ultra-high strength concrete-filled tubular columns under ambient temperature and fire. Engineering Structures. 2015;99:536-45.
[2] Tao Z, Han L-H, Zhao X-L. Behaviour of concrete-filled double skin (CHS inner and CHS outer) steel tubular stub columns and beam-columns. Journal of Constructional Steel Research. 2004;60:1129-58.
[3] Tao Z, Han L-H. Behaviour of concrete-filled double skin rectangular steel tubular beam–columns. Journal of Constructional Steel Research. 2006;62:631-46.
[4] Han L-H, Huang H, Tao Z, Zhao X-L. Concrete-filled double skin steel tubular (CFDST) beam–columns subjected to cyclic bending. Engineering Structures. 2006;28:1698-714.
[5] Mohan AP, S A. Non-Linear Analysis of Concrete Filled Double Skin Circular Steel Column. International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT). 2016;5:204-6.
[6] Elchalakani M, Hassanein MF, Karrech A, Yang B. Experimental investigation of rubberised concrete-filled double skin square tubular columns under axial compression. Engineering Structures. 2018;171:730-46.
[7] Hassanein MF, Elchalakani M, Karrech A, Patel VI, Daher E. Finite element modelling of concrete-filled double-skin short compression members with CHS outer and SHS inner tubes. Marine Structures. 2018;61:85-99.
[8] Zhao X-L, Han L-H. Double skin composite construction. Progress in Structural Engineering and Materials. 2006;8:93-102.
[9] Huang H, Han L-H, Tao Z, Zhao X-L. Analytical behaviour of concrete-filled double skin steel tubular (CFDST) stub columns. Journal of Constructional Steel Research. 2010;66:542-55.
[10] Ekmekyapar T, Al-Eliwi BJM. Concrete filled double circular steel tube (CFDCST) stub columns. Engineering Structures. 2017;135:68-80.
[11] Jin K-Y, Zhou X-H, Wen H, Deng R, Li R-F, Wang Y-H. Compressive behaviour of stiffened thin-walled CFDST columns with large hollow ratio. Journal of Constructional Steel Research. 2023;205:107886.
[12] Li B-F, Wang X-T, Xie C-D, Yan X-F, Wang S. Compressive behaviour and design of tapered lightweight concrete-filled double-skin stiffened steel tubular short columns with large hollow ratio. Structures. 2024;64:106527.
[13] Cai J, He Z-Q. Axial load behavior of square CFT stub column with binding bars. Journal of Constructional Steel Research. 2006;62:472-83.
[14] Younes SM, Ramadan HM, Mourad SA. Stiffening of short small-size circular composite steel–concrete columns with shear connectors. Journal of Advanced Research. 2016;7:525-38.
[15] Lai MH, Ho JCM. Uni-axial Compression Test of Concrete-filled-steel-tube Columns Confined by Tie Bars. Procedia Engineering. 2013;57:662-9.
[16] Huang CS, Yeh Y-K, Liu G-Y, Hu H-T, Tsai KC, Weng YT et al. Axial Load Behavior of Stiffened Concrete-Filled Steel Columns. Journal of Structural Engineering. 2002;128:1222-30.
[17] Tao Z, Han L-H, Wang Z-B. Experimental behaviour of stiffened concrete-filled thin-walled hollow steel structural (HSS) stub columns. Journal of Constructional Steel Research. 2005;61:962-83.
[18] Tao Z, Han L-H, Wang D-Y. Strength and ductility of stiffened thin-walled hollow steel structural stub columns filled with concrete. Thin-Walled Structures. 2008;46:1113-28.
[19] Tao Z, Han L-H, Wang D-Y. Experimental behaviour of concrete-filled stiffened thin-walled steel tubular columns. Thin-Walled Structures. 2007;45:517-27.
[20] Alatshan F, Osman SA, Hamid R, Mashiri F. Stiffened concrete-filled steel tubes: A systematic review. Thin-Walled Structures. 2020;148:106590.
[21] Zheng M, Nie X, Ding R. Experimental and numerical research on the uniaxial behavior of the stiffened circular concrete-filled steel tube stub columns. Engineering Structures. 2024;306:117785.
[22] Singh H, Tiwary AK, Eldin SM, Ilyas RA. Behavior of stiffened concrete-filled steel tube columns infilled with nanomaterial-based concrete subjected to axial compression. Journal of Materials Research and Technology. 2023;24:9580-93.
[23] Zhou Z, Denavit MD, Zhou X. New cross-sectional slenderness limits for stiffened rectangular concrete-filled steel tubes. Engineering Structures. 2023;280:115689.
[24] Hassanein MF, Huang W-F, Shao Y-B, Cashell KA, Elsisy AR. Confinement-based design and behaviour of concrete-filled stiffened steel tubular square slender columns. Ocean Engineering. 2024;304:117845.
[25] Huang W-F, Shao Y-B, Hassanein MF, Hadzima-Nyarko M, Radu D, Cashell KA. Experimental and numerical investigation of square concrete-filled double-skin steel stiffened tubular stub columns with CHS inner tubes under axial compression. Thin-Walled Structures. 2024;199:111792.
[26] Zhou Z, Zhou X, Gan D, Liu Y. Comparison and design of stiffened rectangular concrete-filled steel tubular members. Journal of Constructional Steel Research. 2023;208:108037.
[27] Peng K, Yu T, Hadi MNS, Huang L. Compressive behavior of hybrid double-skin tubular columns with a rib-stiffened steel inner tube. Composite Structures. 2018;204:634-44.
[28] Zakir M, Sofi FA, Naqash JA. Experimentally verified behavior and confinement model for concrete in circular stiffened FRP-concrete-steel double-skin tubular columns. Structures. 2021;33:1144-57.
[29] Zakir M, Sofi FA, Naqash JA. Compressive testing and finite element analysis-based confined concrete model for stiffened square FRP-concrete-steel double-skin tubular columns. Journal of Building Engineering. 2021;44:103267.
[30] Zeng J-J, Liang S-D, Zhuge Y, Zhou J-K, Liao J. Seismic behavior of FRP-concrete-steel double skin tubular columns with a rib-stiffened Q690 steel tube and high-strength concrete. Thin-Walled Structures. 2022;175:109127.
[31] Zeng J-J, Zheng Y-Z, Long Y-L. Axial compressive behavior of FRP-concrete-steel double skin tubular columns with a rib-stiffened Q690 steel tube and ultra-high strength concrete. Composite Structures. 2021;268:113912.
[32] Yu T, Teng JG, Wong YL. Stress-Strain Behavior of Concrete in Hybrid FRP-Concrete-Steel Double-Skin Tubular Columns. Journal of Structural Engineering. 2010;136:379-89.
[33] Ding F, Lu D, Lai Z, Liu X. Study on restraint coefficient of the stirrups-stiffened square concrete filled double-skin steel tube axial compression stub columns. Structures. 2024;60:105847.
[34] Zhang J-H, Hassanein MF, Cashell KA, Hadzima-Nyarko M, Xu Y, Shao Y-B. Experimental and numerical investigation on the behaviour of square concrete-filled cold-formed double-skin steel stiffened tubular short columns. Engineering Structures. 2024;303:117560.
[35] Zhang J-H, Shao Y-B, Hassanein MF, Cashell KA, Hadzima-Nyarko M. Behaviour of ultra-high strength concrete-filled dual-stiffened steel tubular slender columns. Engineering Structures. 2024;300:117204.
[36] Zhang J-H, Shao Y-B, Hassanein MF, Patel VI. Axial compressive performance of ultra-high strength concrete-filled dual steel tubular short columns with outer stiffened tubes and inner circular tubes. Journal of Constructional Steel Research. 2023;203:107848.
[37] Zhang J-H, Shao Y-B, Hassanein MF, Cashell KA, Hadzima-Nyarko M. Behaviour of cold-formed concrete-filled dual steel stiffened tubular short columns. Journal of Constructional Steel Research. 2024;213:108381.
[38] Wang Z-B, Tao Z, Yu Q. Axial compressive behaviour of concrete-filled double-tube stub columns with stiffeners. Thin-Walled Structures. 2017;120:91-104.
[39] Ghannam M, Metwally IM. Numerical investigation for the behaviour of stiffened circular concrete filled double tube columns. Structures. 2020;25:901-19.
[40] Wang Z-B, Zhang J-B, Li W, Wu H-J. Seismic performance of stiffened concrete-filled double skin steel tubes. Journal of Constructional Steel Research. 2020;169:106020.
[41] Hasan HG, Ekmekyapar T. Mechanical Performance of Stiffened Concrete Filled Double Skin Steel Tubular Stub Columns under Axial Compression. KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering. 2019;23:2281-92.
[42] Shekastehband B, Taromi A, Abedi K. Fire performance of stiffened concrete filled double skin steel tubular columns. Fire Safety Journal. 2017;88:13-25.
[43] Ghannam M, Song TY. Fire Resistance Design of Concrete-Filled Steel Tube Stub Columns. Fire Technology. 2021;57:911-42.
[44] Benzaid R, Mesbah HA. Circular and Square Concrete Columns Externally Confined by CFRP Composite: Experimental Investigation and Effective Strength Models. In: Intech, editor. Fiber Reinforced Polymers - The Technology Applied for Concrete Repair: INTECH; 2013. p. 167-201.
[45] Song X, Gu X, Li Y, Chen T, Zhang W. Mechanical Behavior of FRP-Strengthened Concrete Columns Subjected to Concentric and Eccentric Compression Loading. Journal of Composites for Construction. 2013;17:336-46.
[46] Campione G, Miraglia N, Papia M. Strength and strain enhancements of concrete columns confined with FRP sheets. Structural Engineering and Mechanics. 2004;18.
[47] Tabsh SW. Stress-Strain Model for High-Strength Concrete Confined by Welded Wire Fabric. Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering. 2007;19:286-94.
[48] ABAQUS. ABAQUS standard user’s manual, Version 6.12. USA: Dassault Systèmes Corp., Providence, RI; 2012.
[49] Tao Z, Wang Z-B, Yu Q. Finite element modelling of concrete-filled steel stub columns under axial compression. Journal of Constructional Steel Research. 2013;89:121-31.
[50] Gardner L, Nethercot DA. Numerical Modeling of Stainless Steel Structural Components—A Consistent Approach. Journal of Structural Engineering. 2004;130:1586-601.
[51] Ellobody E, Young B. Structural performance of cold-formed high strength stainless steel columns. Journal of Constructional Steel Research. 2005;61:1631-49.
[52] Tao Z, Uy B, Han L-H, Wang Z-B. Analysis and design of concrete-filled stiffened thin-walled steel tubular columns under axial compression. Thin-Walled Structures. 2009;47:1544-56.
[53] Ayough P. Experimental and Numerical Investigations of the Compressive Behavior of Concrete-Filled Steel Tubular Columns [Ph.D.]. Malaysia: University of Malaya (Malaysia); 2022.
[54] Huang CS, Yeh YK, Liu GY, Hu HT, Tsai KC, Weng YT et al. Axial Load Behavior of Stiffened Concrete-Filled Steel Columns. Journal of Structural Engineering. 2002;128:1222-30.
[55] Eurocode-4_part1.1. Design of composite steel and concrete structures, Part 1-1: General rules and rules for buildings. London: BS EN 1994-1-1:2004. British Standards Institution; 2005.
[56] AISC-360-22. American Institute of Steel Construction: Specification for Structural Steel Buildings. 2022.
[57] AIJ. Architectural Institute of Japan (AIJ) Standard for Structural Calculation of Steel Reinforced Concrete Structures, 5th Ed. 2001.