Experimental investigation of natural bond behavior in circular CFTs

Undoubtedly, the employment of direct bond interaction between steel and concrete is preceding the other mechanisms because of its ease of construction. However, the large scatter in the experimental data about the issue has hindered the efforts to characterize bond strength. In the following research, the direct bond interaction and bond-slip behavior of CFTs with circular cross-section were examined through repeated load-reversed push-out tests until four cycles of loading. The influence of different parameters including the diameter of the tube and the use of shear tabs were assessed. Moreover, the utilization of expansive concrete and external spirals was proposed and tested as ways of improving bond strength. According to the results section dimensions, tube slenderness, shrinkage potential of concrete, interface roughness and confinement are key factors in a natural bond. Larger diameters will lead to a considerable drop in bond strength. The use of shear tabs by their associated bending moments increases the bond stress up to eight times. Furthermore, employment of external spirals and expansive concrete have a sensible effect on enhancing bonds. Macro-locking was also found to be the main component in achieving bond strength.