Experimental Investigation on the Axial Loading Performance of Grooving-Damaged Square Hollow Concrete-Filled Steel Tube Columns

Under the influence of material defects, structural grooving, environmental corrosion, and other factors in engineering, concrete-filled steel tubes incur local defects on their external surfaces that affect their structural integrity and service life. This work conducts axial compression tests on 10 grooving-damaged square hollow concrete-filled steel tube (SHCFST) columns to investigate the effect of grooving damage on their axial compressive ultimate bearing capacity and the effect of steel tubes on concrete confinement. It explores the effects of three parameters, namely, the length of grooves, presence of slots in internal and external steel tubes, and orientation of grooves, on structural static performance. This study analyzes the loading, failure mechanisms, and axial compressive ultimate bearing capacity of grooving-damaged SHCFST columns. Results indicate that grooving weakens the steel tube’s confinement effect on the concrete core, reducing the axial compressive ultimate bearing capacity of specimens. On the basis of this experimental research, a method for calculating the axial compressive ultimate bearing capacity and axial compressive stiffness of grooving-damaged SHCFST columns is proposed. The calculation results closely align with experimental outcomes, providing valuable insights for related scientific research and engineering applications.