A Study on Ductility and Energy Absorption Capacity of Reinforced Concrete Filled UPVC Columns

In the present study, Unplastisized Poly Vinyl Chloride (UPVC) tubes filled with concrete are axially loaded to investigate their load carrying capacity and associated ductility. Total twelve specimens of UPVC tubes of diameters 140 and 200 mm with effective length of 900 mm were cast. M20 grade of concrete was filled inside the tubes for the casting of UPVC concrete filled tube (CFUT) column specimens. All these specimens were prepared to investigate the effect of outer diameter to thickness (D/t) ratio on the strength, confinement and ductility of columns specimens. The column specimens were tested for axial loading in the INSTRON machine of capacity 250 tonnes. Their load-deformation curves and modes of deformation were recorded. The test results indicate that as D/t ratio decreases, the confinement and ductility increases. The magnitude of the displacement corresponding to peak load increases as diameter of specimen increases. It can also be concluded from the experiments that concrete filled UPVC tubes can be used as columns.