A Critical Review of Cold-Formed Steel Built-Up Composite Columns with Geopolymer Concrete Infill

• Published in: Journal of composites science Vol. 8; no. 7; p. 238
• Main Authors: Sara Simon, Serene, Kafle, Bidur, Al-Ameri, Riyadh
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 01.07.2024
• Subjects: Ambient temperature; Bearing capacity; Bearing strength; built-up sections; By products; Carbon; Cold; Cold working; Cold-formed steel; cold-formed steel (CFS); Composite columns; Compressive strength; Concrete; Concrete construction; Construction; Design; Emissions; Fire resistance; geopolymer concrete (GPC); Geopolymers; Load; Load carrying capacity; Manufacturing; Penetration depth; Penetration resistance; Redevelopment; shear connectors; Steel columns; Steel tubes; Strain hardening; Strength to weight ratio; Structural engineering; Sustainable materials; Ultimate tensile strength
• ISSN: 2504-477X; 2504-477X
• DOI: 10.3390/jcs8070238

Concrete-filled built-up cold-formed steel (CFS) columns offer enhanced load-carrying capacity, improved strength-to-weight ratios, and delayed buckling through providing internal resistance and stiffness due to the concrete infill. Integrating sustainable alternatives like self-compacting geopolymer concrete (SCGC) with low carbon emissions is increasingly favoured for addressing environmental concerns in construction. This review aims to explore the current knowledge regarding CFS built-up composite columns and the performance of SCGC within them. While research on geopolymer concrete-filled steel tubes (GPCFSTs) under various loads has demonstrated high strength and ductility, investigations into built-up sections remain limited. The literature suggests that geopolymer concrete’s superior compressive strength, fire resistance, and minimal shrinkage render it highly compatible with steel tubular columns, providing robust load-bearing capacity and gradual post-ultimate strength, attributed to the confinement effect of the outer steel tubes, thereby preventing brittle failure. Additionally, in built-up sections, connector penetration depth and spacing, particularly at the ends, enhances structural performance through composite action in CFS structures. Consequently, understanding the importance of using a sustainable and superior infill like SCGC, the cross-sectional efficiency of CFS sections, and optimal shear connections in built-up CFS columns is crucial. Moreover, there is a potential for developing environmentally sustainable built-up CFS composite columns using SCGC cured at ambient temperatures as infill.