Effect of the drum height on the bearing capacity of composite multi-drum column under static load

Abstract The results of a experimental study on the effect of the drum height on the bearing capacity of composite multi-drum column under axial compression force and lateral horizontal force were presented. Small scale columns with two, four, six and twelve drums were tested. It was concluded that an increased number of drums reduces bearing capacity, flexural and shear stiffness, and increases horizontal and vertical deformability of columns. The reason is the simultaneous increase of the joints number, which are the weakest point in column. The column loaded by axial force only had a brittle failure, and by combined axial force and lateral force more ductile failure.