Lateral impact behaviour of CCFT columns with spherical-cap gap imperfection: Numerical modelling and design method

To clarify the influence of gap imperfection on the impact behaviour of the concrete-filled steel tube (CFT) column, this paper performs numerical modelling on the mechanical responses of the circular CFT columns holding spherical-cap gaps (CCFT-SG) under lateral impact load. The effects of gap ratio, axial compression ratio, impact position, diameter/thickness ratio, boundary condition and material strength on the energy dissipation (Ea), the maximum (Fm) and equivalent impact forces (Feq), the peak (δm) and residual lateral deflections (δr) are analyzed after establishing and validating the finite element (FE) model. The typical failure pattern, time-history curve and contact response between the tube and concrete of the laterally impacted CCFT-SG column are revealed as well. The result declares that the overall failure morphology of the CCFT-SG column imposed with lateral impact showing as overall bending, is similar to that of the common CFT column, but distinct local depression is obtained because of the existence of spherical-cap gaps. With the gap ratio increasing, the Feq, Fm and Ea decrease gradually, while the δm and δr rise slowly. The calculation formulae for predicting the dynamic impact force and resistance of the CCFT-SG column are presented and validated against the existing test and numerical results.