Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ö. Bucak Karlstr.

6
University of Applied Sciences 80333 München, Germany
Munich, Germany Telefon +49 89 1265 2642
Telefax +49 89 1265 2699

Final Report

HOLLOW SECTION COLUMNS

EMBEDDED IN CONCRETE

CIDECT Project 2W

München, August 2007

Hollow sections columns embedded in concrete

Final Report

Title of the research: HOLLOW SECTIONS COLUMNS EMBEDDED IN

CONCRETE

Sponsors: CIDECT
V&M

Research Programme: CIDECT 2W

Application for research by: Vallourec & Mannesmann Tubes

V&M Deutschland GmbH
Düsseldorf, Germany

Coordinator: Dipl.-Ing. O. Josat

Research carried out by:

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ö. Bucak

University of Applied Sciences
Karlstr. 6
80333 München
Germany

Date: August 2007

Hollow sections columns embedded in concrete page 1

List of contents
1. Introduction and background........................................................................... 2
2. Aim of the project .............................................................................................. 3
3. Test programme ................................................................................................ 4
4. Test results ........................................................................................................ 7
5. Evaluation ........................................................................................................ 15
6. Summary .......................................................................................................... 21
7. Literature.......................................................................................................... 23

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1. Introduction and background

Architectural trends today show an increase in the use of hollow section members,
for both building and bridge structures. This is primarily due to their advantageous
characteristics for structural as well as aesthetic aspects of design as compared to
conventional open-section members. Much advancement was made, but there are
still areas which need some improvements. In investigations carried out in the scope
of ECSC-Project 7210-SA/511 [1], the design embedded length of open sections
could be reduced to 40 up to 50 % of the previously allowed values.

It is proven in Munich by Heimershof, that for circular and rectangular timber

sections, a smaller embedded length is adequate for design.

The lower embedded length and the corresponding economic benefits not only
reduce the volume of earth excavation, but also the foundation dimensions. Also,
erection of such columns is simplified.

More advantages are expected in areas where the ground water level is very high.

At present, hollow sections are designed very conservatively, which presents a

disadvantage in the use of hollow sections as a result of deeper foundation
requirements than for other sections. Appropriate turnovers may be expected, when
columns of steel structures made of hollow sections are just as economically
designed as columns made of open sections.

This research project may be considered as an extension of

• CIDECT Research Project 2J [3] and

• ECSC Project 7210-SA/511 [1] for rolled open sections

to hollow sections.

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2. Aim of the project

This research programme considers the following aspects:

• Investigation whether the existing design formulae determined for open

sections can also be used (with possible modifications) for circular and
rectangular hollow sections

• Theoretical work (financial support of the German Research Foundation, DFG,

is applied for) substantiates the low number of tests.

• Especially for circular hollow sections, a more favourable mechanism of load

shedding and failure is expected, where the embedded length to be selected
or designed is reduced again, in comparison to open sections.

• Including the modified design formulae in existing standards.

In the framework of these tests additional information about the load carrying
behaviour of these elements will be achieved using strain and deformation
measurements. With this, a more detailed view about

• Failure mode

• Strain distribution inside and outside of the foundation

• Distribution of forces

• Crack pattern

will be possible.

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3. Test programme
To cover a wide range of profile sizes and embedded lengths as well as varying d/t
and b/t ratios the specimens listed in Table 3-1 and in Table 3-2 have been tested
during that research.

Hollow section Foundation Embedded length

dimensions
[mm] [m] [mm]
320
0.80 x 1.00 x 1.07
Ø 219.1 x 6.3 550
0.80 x 1.00 x 1.17
650
400
Ø 273.0 x 8.0 0.80 x 1.00 x 1.15
500
500
0.80 x 0.80 x 1.30
Ø 323.9 x 10.0 650
0.80 x 0.80 x 1.80
800
700
Ø 406.4 x 12.5 0.80 x 1.00 x 1.50
600
Table 3-1: Test specimens made of CHS

Hollow section Foundation Embedded length

dimensions
[mm] [m] [mm]
200
0.60 x 0.80 x 1.00
100 x 100 x 6.3 300
0.50 x 0.50 x 1.00
400
350
0.80 x 1.00 x 1.05
200 x 200 x 8.0 400
0.70 x 0.70 x 1.00
500
400
260 x 260 x 11.0 0.80 x 1.00 x 1.20
600
1.40 x 1.40 x 1.50 650
400 x 400 x 16.0
1.40 x 1.40 x 1.80 800
Table 3-2: Test specimens made of RHS

Figure 3-1 shows the test set-up and the arrangement of the LVDT schematically.
The performed positions of the strain gauges can be seen in Figure 3-2. All tests are
done in horizontal position. The load was introduced by jacks at the free ends of the
sections. The foundation was fixed in the test rig. For all the tests the displacement
behaviour was recorded and the crack pattern was also marked on the foundation.

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Figure 3-1: Test set-up

Figure 3-2: Positions of the strain gauges (schematically)

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Figure 3-3: Layout of the reinforcement (schematically)

The embedded part of the hollow sections was filled with concrete only at a few test
specimens. All embedded parts of the other test specimen weren’t filled with
concrete. The reinforcement was chosen that the hollow sections are covered by
loops. Figure 3-3 shows a sketch of the reinforcement layout. The concrete quality
was C20/25 acc. to ENV 1992-1-1:1991 for all the tests. Due to economic reasons
the ends of the hollow sections are open and not closed. The section was closed by
a timber section during the concreting.

The design of the foundation was made according to existing standards.

More information and some exemplary pictures are given in the attachments.

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4. Test results
42 test specimens had been tested during the investigation. This resulted in 16
ultimate load tests for circular hollow sections (CHS) and 26 tests for rectangular
hollow sections (RHS).

In Table 4-1 the results for RHS are given. In this table all geometrical dimensions of
the hollow sections, the embeddings and the embedding lengths (see Figure 4-1) are
given. Together with this, the maximum loads Pmax and the resulting moments Mmax
and stresses σ in the hollow sections are given. In addition, information concerning
the fabrication of the test specimens and the failure modes can be found in this table.
It can be seen that in some cases the reinforcement was modified or concrete was
also filled into the hollow sections.

The same data are given for circular hollow sections, too. You can see them in Table
4-2.

For all test specimens a load deflection curves have been plotted. An example is
given in Fig. 4-2 for test specimen CHS 219.1 x 6.3 (No. 10). Fig. 4-3 shows the
cracked foundation of this test at the end.

An example for the production and testing of an RHS specimen is given in the
Attachments for specimen RHS 100 x 100 x 6.3 (specimen No. 9).

reaction
force
(support)

Concrete

f1 f2
load 1 load 2

Figure 4-1: Schematic test set-up and denomination of embedding f1 and f2

CIDECT project 2W UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES, MUNICH

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Table 4.1: Test results for rectangular hollow sections

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Table 4.2: Test results for circular hollow sections

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Figure 4-2: load deflection curves of test specimen CHS 219.1 x 6.3
(specimen No.10)

CIDECT project 2W UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES, MUNICH

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Figure 4-3: Test specimen CHS

219.1 x 6.3 (No. 10)
after the test

CIDECT project 2W UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES, MUNICH

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Summarizing the test results according their sizes the following statements can be
given:

RHS 100x6.3
In the tests with this tube dimension only short fissures have occurred. In some tests
there occurred no fissures in the foundation. In these cases a complete plasticization
of the hollow section has occurred before a damage of the foundation took part. Even
with the shortest embedding length (200 mm) the tubes are fixed in the foundation.

In particular tubes with short fissures no increase of the maximum load could be
found. In the case of tubes with a concrete filling the ultimate load could be increased
compared to hollow sections without concrete filling.

The reduction of the foundation dimensions had practically no bearing on the failure.

The crack propagation for all specimens was a little bigger and thus consequently
induced longer fissures. Nevertheless, the plastic deformation failure of the hollow
section ruled the ultimate load.

RHS 200x8
Yielding of the quadratic hollow section could be observed in all the samples here.
Fissures have appeared in the foundation block. These fissures started from the
quadratic hollow profile edge such as in case of RHS 100.

On the 50 cm embedding length side only very short fissures were observed. Tube
deformation and buckling of the compression chord were larger than on the 35 cm
embedding length side.

There was no difference between the cracking load of a tube filled with concrete and
the cracking load of a tube that wasn’t filled with concrete. Both tubes had the same
fixing length. In the case of the concrete filled tube no buckling of the tube occurred.

In the case of specimens with reduced foundation dimensions and reduced

percentage of reinforcement deep cracks have occurred on both sides of the
foundation.

In addition to that, a deformation of the hollow sections could be observed. There

was only a slight buckling on the side with the reduced reinforcement. On the
opposite side the upper chord buckled on the top side and on the flanges.

The maximum loads of the quadratic hollow sections were the same on both sides.
The stronger reinforcement resulted however in a rigid fixed support, which induced
large final deformation of the hollow section.

RHS 260x11
Compared to the hollow sections described above only little plastic deformations
occurred with these samples. The tubes were loose at the bearing point and the tube
was extracted (approximately 10 mm) in the case of foundations with an embedding
length of 40 cm. On the upper side of the profile the tube was pushed in the concrete.

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Foundation cracking was very pronounced in all the specimens with these
dimensions. Furthermore, the samples with the shortest embedding length (40 cm)
showed flattening and flaking along the reinforcement. Also in the samples that had a
embedding length of 60 cm, the concrete flaked on the edges and in the transition
from top of the edge to foundation.

The concrete filling in the tube did not affect the ultimate load of the test specimens
due to the fact that the failure of these samples was caused by failure of the
embedment and of the foundation and not by yielding of the hollow section.

RHS 400x16

Also with the attempts of this tubing dimension marks on top of the tubes at the
transition hollow section to foundation arose at the normal reinforced sides. This
could be determined at all examined embedding lengths. Furthermore one of these
pipes within the embedded length was coated. This pipe at the modified reinforced
side with a embedding length of 65 cm wasn’t able to resist the attacking load
completely. It was pulled out of the concrete foundation.

At all other embedding lengths of these pipes fissures in the concrete were only
determined. There hasn’t been any flaking at the foundation.

CHS 219.1x6.3
As expected, the tube yielding of the circular hollow section CHS 219.1x6.3 made of
S235JRH was higher than by other samples with the same dimensions. The higher
yielding produced a strong buckling in that sample.

In the tests with concrete filled sections the concrete core inhibits tube buckling.

In the case of foundations with an embedding length of 55 cm the cracks in the

foundations were not significant. In the case of embedding lengths of 65 cm there
were no apparent fissures. On the other hand long and deep fissures until the border
of the foundation occurred in the tests with embedding lengths equal to 32 cm. Pull
out of the hollow section did not occur but buckling at an embedded length of 32 cm.

CHS 273x8
In nearly all cases using the circular hollow section Ro 273x8 the basic failure mode
was yielding of the profile. Thus, tube buckling occurred on both embedding lengths
used for the tests.

In the case of concrete filled tubes, the buckling was constrained. However, in the
cases of concrete filled specimens the cracks in the foundations occurred at first.

Fissures on the concrete foundations occurred both on the side with 40 cm fixing
lengths and on the side with 55 cm fixing lengths. The samples with the shortest
fixing length (40 cm) showed loosening and when the tube was not filled with
concrete the profile was extracted (ca. 6 mm).

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CHS 323,9x10
Also with these attempts chipping off the foundation could always be determined on
the modified reinforced side. One of the tubes embedded in concrete on the modified
reinforced side was still coated thereby. This tube could take up only very small
loads. It was pulled out of the foundation. That’s what we have expected. However,
resulting from the selected experimental setup, thereby the attempt on the normal
reinforced side could not load up to its actual maximum failure.
At all normal reinforced side’s only fissures at the concrete surface were determined.
No failure at the tubes could be determined. Also no material failure loads on the
normal reinforced sides are determined at all selected embedding lengths as
previously mentioned. This is because of the selected experimental setup.

CHS 406.4x12.5
The failure mode with these tubing dimensions was with priority concrete failure.
Flakings could be determined on the modified reinforced side. Only fissures could be
determined at the normal reinforced side.
At the concreted pipes no buckling or other failure modes could be determined.

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5. Evaluation

Additional to the tests, which have been carried out, the necessary fixing lengths
according to Koch [2] are calculated. Koch’s evaluation applied on I-profiles, which
are fixed in reinforced concrete.

The reference value there is the “elastic length” of the steel profiles in the bearing
point. The determination of the elastic length is simplified as follows:

4 ⋅ ES ⋅ I S
LE = (1)
C ⋅b

EB E
where C = , EB = S ⇒ LE = 2,5 4 I S
b 7

ES Young's modulus of steel

EB Young's modulus of concrete
IS Moment of inertia of steel profile
b Width of the section
C Bedding modulus in half space

VD VD
If ≤ 0,3 (2) If ≥ 0,3 (5)
V pl V pl

hence hence
MD b f ≥ α ⋅ LE
f ≥α⋅ ⋅ LE 4 (3) (6)
M pl h
1,5 LE ≤ f ≤ α LE (4)

where α = 3 for uncoated profiles in bearing point

α = 4 for coated profiles in bearing point

Another condition results from the concrete pipe pressing’s limitation on the leading
edge of the fixed support:

Md
f ≥ 2,33 ⋅ p + 5,43 p 2 + 5,33 p ⋅ (7)
Vd
Vd
where p = (8)
β R ⋅ b´
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For open sections the value of b` will be calculated with b´ = b + 0.5*h. In this the b is
the width of the flange and h is the height of the open section. On the save side we
decide to calculate b´ for RHS with the width of the profile and for the CHS with the
diameter of the profile.

Figure 5-1: Calculation for b´ for that project

The calculated embedding length according to Koch [2], the embedding length
obtained by tests and the rates Mmax/Mpl and tested ratios (embedding length/tube
dimensions) are listed in the following table. The red marked fields show thereby no
good conformity with the calculated embedding length according to Koch [2]. That
means this embedment length is shorter than the calculated minimal embedment
length. Yellow marked fields indicate a small deviation from the calculated
embedding length according to Koch [2]. Green marked fields indicate a good to very
good conformity to the clamping calculated embedding length according to Koch [2].

The results from table 5.1 are pictured in diagram 5.1 for a better understanding of
the results from table 5.1. On the abscissa the embedding length relative to the
elastic bedding is shown. On the coordinate y is shown the relative from Mmax to Mpl.
This diagram includes the column determ. f. This embedded length f is the minimum
value of the equations 3, 4 and 7 in comparison to the embedded length in the tests.

The black lines in diagram 5.1 shows the limit of the relative from embedding length
to the “elastic length” for α = 3 for I-profile sections without a coating in the
embedding length and α = 4 for I-profiles sections with a coating in the embedding
length according to Koch.

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Table 5.1: Calculated embedding length according to Koch in accordance with the embedded testlength

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CIDECT project 2W UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES, MUNICH

 1,35

1,25

CIDECT project 2W
1,15

1,05 100x100x6,3
200x200x8
260x260x11
0,95
Ø 219,1 x 6,3
Ø 273,0 x 8
Hollow sections columns embedded in concrete

400x400x16

maxM/MPl
0,85
Ø 406,4 x 12,5
Ø 323,9 x 10
α=3
0,75 α=4 400x400x16
1b

0,65 1d

1c
0,55
1a

0,45
0,50 1,00 1,50 2,00 2,50 3,00 3,50 4,00 4,50 5,00 5,50 6,00
f/L

Diagramm 5.1: Test results for the embedding length

page 19

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Notes to the
Diagramm

1a modified reinforcement + coating → destroying of

the foundation + pull out of the hollow section

no increase of the load necessary due to the early

1b destroying of test 1a (just little fissures on test
specimen at the side of 1b)

1c to little embedding length and reduced

reinforcement → destroying of the foundation
no increase of the load necessary due to the early
1d destroying of test 1c (just little fissures on test
specimen at the side of 1d)

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6. Summary
All of the specimens (16 RHS specimen and 26 CHS specimen) have been
concreted and tested. The different measurements of the specimen can see in the
following table.

All test datas are recorded, documented, tabulated and evaluated. The
documentation of the test datas is available as Appendix to this report.

H o llo w s e c tio n F o u n d a tio n E m b e d d in g

d im e n s io n s s te e l g ra d e d im e n s io n s le n g th
[m m ] [m ] [m m ]

200
0 .6 0 x 0 .8 0 x 1 .0 0 300

1 0 0 x 1 0 0 x 6 .3 S 355 J2H 400

300
0 .5 0 x 0 .5 0 x 1 .0 0
400

350
0 .8 0 x 1 .0 0 x 1 .0 5
500
2 0 0 x 2 0 0 x 8 .0 S 355 J2H
400
0 .7 0 x 0 .7 0 x 1 .0 0
400

400
0 .8 0 x 1 .0 0 x 1 .2 0
600
260x260x11 S 355 J2H
400
0 .8 0 x 1 .0 0 x 1 .2 0
600

800
1 .4 0 x 1 .4 0 x 1 .8 0
800
400x400x16 S 355 JR H
650
1 .4 0 x 1 .4 0 x 1 .5 0
650

320
0 .8 0 x 1 .0 0 x 1 .0 7
∅ 2 1 9 .1 x 6 .3 S 235 J2H 550
0 .8 0 x 1 .0 0 x 1 .1 7
650

400
∅ 2 7 3 .0 x 8 .0 S 355 J2H 0 .8 0 x 1 .0 0 x 1 .1 5
550

650
0 .8 0 x 1 .0 0 x 1 .3 0
500
∅ 3 2 3 .9 x 1 0 .0 S 355 J2H
800
0 .8 0 x 1 .0 0 x 1 .8 0
800

700
∅ 4 0 6 .4 x 1 2 .5 S 355 J2H 0 .8 0 x 1 .0 0 x 1 .5 0
600

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In a first evaluation the formula of Koch [2] for open sections was used. The results
found were reasonable and leads to the impression that the reduced embedding
length for open sections calculated with this formula can also be used for hollow
sections, too.

Nevertheless further investigations should be done in order to examine and correct

the approach of b'. This factor considers the concrete stress at the junction hollow
section to foundation at the embedding. The chosen b’ in this project seems to be too
conservative for hollow and circular sections. But the definition of b´ should be
investigated in another research project.

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7. Literature
[1] ECSC project 7210-SA/511
“Steel Columns Embedded in Concrete Foundations”, Final Report 1992

[2] Koch E.:

Zum Tragverhalten von in Stahlbeton eingespannten Stahlprofilen, Von der
Fakultät für Bauingenieur- und Vermessungswesen angenommene
Dissertation, Universität Karlsruhe, 2000

[3] Bergmann, R.:

"Verbundstützen – Bemessung", Vortrag beim Seminar Verbundbau 2 an der
FH München am 26./27. November 1998

[4] Mang, F., Bucak, Ö.:

Columns of RHS Clamped in Concrete Foundation, CIDECT Final Report
Project 2J, Universität Karlsruhe, 1978

[5] Puthli, R.:

Hohlprofilkonstruktionen in Stahl nach DIN V ENV 1993(EC3) und DIN 18800
(11.90), ca. 230 Seiten, Werner Verlag GmbH & Co., KG, Düsseldorf, 1997

Standards and design guides

EN 10025
Hot rolled products of non-alloy structural steels; Technical delivery conditions
(includes amendment A1:1993); German Version EN 10025:1990

DIN 1045
Beton und Stahlbeton; Bemessung und Ausführung, 2001

V ENV 1992-1-1
Eurocode 2: Design of concrete structurs - Part 1: General rules and rules for
buildings; German version ENV 1992-1-1:1991

V ENV 1994-1-1
Eurocode 4: Design of composite steel and concrete structures; part 1-1: General
rules and rules for buildings; German version ENV 1994-1-1:1992

EN 10210
Hot finished structural hollow sections of non-alloy and fine grain structural steels
- Part 1: Technical delivery requirements; German version EN 10210-1:1994
Part 2: Tolerances, dimensions and sectional properties; German version EN
10210-2:1997

CIDECT project 2W UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES, MUNICH

Hollow sections columns embedded in concrete Attachment 1

Example for the calculation of the reinforcement

CIDECT project 2W UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES, MUNICH

Hollow sections columns embedded in concrete Attachment 2

Reinforcement cage for RHS 100 x 100 x 6.3

CIDECT project 2W UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES, MUNICH

Hollow sections columns embedded in concrete Attachment 3

Concreted specimen RHS 100 x 100 x 6.3 (in the formwork)

Test specimen RHS 100 x 100 x 6.3 (specimen No. 9) during the test
CIDECT project 2W UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES, MUNICH
Hollow sections columns embedded in concrete Attachment 4

Test specimen RHS 100 x 100 x 6.3 (specimen No. 9) during the test

Test specimen RHS 100 x 100 x 6.3 (specimen No. 9) during the test

CIDECT project 2W UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES, MUNICH