Experimental study of concrete-encased composite columns with GFRP-steel tubes filled with sea-sand concrete under cyclic loading

Minsheng Guan; Shaoling Guo; Xinsen Zheng; Yanni Bouras; Vincent Wang; Anne W.M. Ng; Qing Quan Liang

doi:10.1016/j.engstruct.2026.122760

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Experimental study of concrete-encased composite columns with GFRP-steel tubes filled with sea-sand concrete under cyclic loading

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Experimental study of concrete-encased composite columns with GFRP-steel tubes filled with sea-sand concrete under cyclic loading

Minsheng Guan, Shaoling Guo, Xinsen Zheng, Yanni Bouras, Vincent Wang, Anne W.M. Ng and Qing Quan Liang

Engineering Structures, Vol.360, pp.1-18

2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2026.122760

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Abstract

Composite column

GFRP-steel composite tube

Seismic performance

Ultimate strength

Long-term durability and seismic performance are critical for marine structures. To improve their performance, a novel concrete-encased, concrete-filled composite (CECFC) column has been developed, which incorporates a glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP)-steel tube filled with sea-sand concrete. This paper presents an experimental study on the seismic performance of CECFC columns with GFRP-steel tube. The cyclic test program and results are described on seven CECFC columns and one control specimen, constructed with steel/GFRP composite bars embedded in sea-sand concrete (SGFCB). The effects of axial compression ratio, composite tube diameter, and stirrup spacing on the seismic responses of CECFC columns are investigated. The results indicate that CECFC columns predominantly exhibit bending failure. However, the confinement provided by the internal composite tube and surrounding concrete effectively delays crack propagation and concrete crushing. Compared with the SGFCB column, the CECFC design achieves a 10%-15% increase in ultimate load, a 20%-40% improvement in ductility, and a 20%-30% enhancement in energy dissipation capacity, and a 30%- 85% increase in equivalent damping ratio. While increasing the axial compression ratio enhances the initial load-carrying capacity of the column, it also reduces ductility by approximately 30% and raises the load degradation rate by 10%-15%. Similarly, increasing the tube diameter improves the lateral confinement and enhances the ultimate load by 8%-15%; however, excessive enlargement may lead to localized concrete failure. Finally, a design model is proposed for predicting the flexural capacity of CECFC columns with GFRP-steel tube.

Details

Title: Experimental study of concrete-encased composite columns with GFRP-steel tubes filled with sea-sand concrete under cyclic loading
Authors: Minsheng Guan (Author) - Shenzhen University
Shaoling Guo (Author) - Shenzhen University
Xinsen Zheng (Author) - Shenzhen University
Yanni Bouras (Author) - Victoria University
Vincent Wang (Author) - Victoria University
Anne W.M. Ng (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
Qing Quan Liang (Corresponding Author) - Victoria University
Publication details: Engineering Structures, Vol.360, pp.1-18
Publisher: Elsevier Ltd
Date published: 2026
DOI: 10.1016/j.engstruct.2026.122760
ISSN: 1873-7323
Data Availability: Data will be made available on request.
Grant note: This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 52278195 and 52578222).
Organisation Unit: School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Language: English
Record Identifier: 991229282802621
Output Type: Journal article

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