Global Buckling Behavior of CFST Columns with Assembling Errors

Concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) column has been widely used in engineering practice. In the process of assembling two columns to form a slender member, assembling errors (AE) are inevitably produced at the section of connection. When the AE are too large, the global buckling resistance of slender column would be significantly affected. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the influence of AE on the stability performance of slender CFST columns. In this study, an axial compressive test involving three CFST columns with AE (AE-CFST columns) was conducted. A refined finite element (FE) model is established for further parametric analysis. Based on a simplified analytical model by analyzing the isolated steel connecting plate, a theoretical formula is proposed for predicting the critical thickness [Formula: see text] of the connecting plate. When the thickness [Formula: see text] of the connecting plate meets its requirement, the failure at the section of connection caused by AE could be effectively prevented. Stability design curves considering the influence of AE ratio (the ratio between assembling error and sectional depth of column) are proposed based on numerous FE examples. It is found that the proposed design curves are reliable for the design of AE-CFST columns with different AE ratios.