UHPC sandwich structures with composite coating under compressive load

Abstract

Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) sandwich structures with composite coating serve as multipurpose load-bearing elements. The UHPC’s extraordinary compressive strength is used in a multi-material construction element, while issues regarding the concrete’s brittle failure behaviour are properly addressed. A hollow section concrete core is covered by two steel tubes. The outer steel tube is wrapped in a composite material. By this design, UHPC is used in a material- and shape-optimised way with a low dead weight ratio[1] concerning the load-bearing capacity and stability[2]. The cross-section’s hollow shape optimises the construction’s buckling stability while saving self-weight. The composite coating on the column’s outside functions both as a layer increasing the construction’s durability and as a structural component increasing the the maximum and the residual load capacity. Investigations on the construction’s structural behaviour were performed.