Axial behaviour of rectangular concrete-filled cold-formed steel tubular columns with different loading methods

Axial compression tests have been carried out on 18 rectangular concrete-filled cold-formed steel tubular (CFST) columns with the aim of investigating the axial behaviour of rectangular CFST columns under different loading methods (steel loaded-first and full-section loaded methods). The influence of different loading methods on the ultimate strength of the specimens was compared and the development of Poisson's Ratio as it responds to an increasing load was reported and analysed. Then, the relationship between the constraining factor and the strength index, and the relationship between the constraining factor and ductility index of the specimens, were both discussed. Furthermore, the test results of the full-section loaded specimens were compared with five international code predicted values, and an equation was derived to predict the axial carrying capacity for rectangular CFST columns with a steel loaded-first loading method.