High Strength Lightweight Aggregate Fiber-Reinforced Concrete (HS-LWA FRC) Filled Steel Tube Columns for Increased Seismic Resistance

The purpose of this investigation was to eliminate brittle behavior of high strength lightweight aggregate fiber reinforced concrete (HS-LWA FRC) columns by both adding a relatively low amount of steel fibers and confining the column with a low yield strength steel tube. The goal was to determine if this otherwise very brittle seismic response of HS-LWA concrete columns could be changed to a more desirable behavior, comparable to that of seismically designed normal weight concrete columns. Obtained data show a seismic response comparable to that of seismically designed columns made using conventional concrete filled tube or reinforced concrete members. Specimen response was stable until failure of the steel tube.