Experimental and numerical investigation of strain behavior in circular tubular permanent concrete formwork under axial compression

In recent years, the construction industry has made great strides in building complex projects and overcoming obstacles and challenges that require technical and high-tech solutions. However, obstacles still need to be addressed to reduce construction time, especially for reinforced concrete structures, introduce the exploitation process, and enhance investment efficiency. The construction of reinforced concrete structures involves a sequential process encompassing steel reinforcement installation, formwork assembly, and concrete casting. Investigating methodologies that reduce construction durations for enhanced economic efficacy is a good approach. This research systematically assesses the applicability of higher concrete formwork in conjunction with a standard concrete core, typically applied to cylindrical compression-bearing elements. The methodology employs a dual-pronged approach, encompassing numerical simulation, the finite element method, and experimental compression testing of specimens with varying concrete shell thicknesses ( 15 mm, 20 mm, and 25 mm ) before the infusion of concrete into the core. The horizontal and vertical strain results of both experimental and simulation showed a harmonious correlation between tubular thickness, the interplay of concrete strength in the tubular and core, a comprehensive examination of the structural component’s operational conditions, and an analysis of vertical and horizontal deformations in the external tubular.