LAUSR

Abstract This study evaluates the seismic behavior of the square concrete-filled steel tube (CFT) column under cyclic loading. A total of nine large-scale square CFT columns with different shear stud layout and axial compressive load ratio designed according to the recommendations of the engineering practice were investigated. Seismic performance of these specimens was discussed in terms of damage mode, force-displacement relationship, deformation capacity, stiffness degradation, and energy dissipation capacity. Test results show that the axial compressive load ratio has a significant effect on the hysteresis loops of the square CFT columns. Shear stud has an obvious improvement of the local buckling of the steel tube in specimens with low axial compressive load ratio. However, it is not as much expected improvement on the local buckling of the steel tube when subjected to high axial compressive force. In addition, energy dissipation capacity of the square CFT column is shown to be insensitive to the shear stud layout.