The Impact of Confinement and Time Effects on the Calculated Squash Load of Concrete Columns Reinforced with High Strength Steels (Sep 2023)

Unlocking the full benefit of high strength steel requires design models that reflect how materials behave in real conditions.

This paper explores how confinement, creep and shrinkage influence the performance of reinforced concrete columns using 600 MPa steel. It shows that standard design assumptions can limit the effective use of higher strength steel, restricting potential material and carbon savings.

By applying more advanced modelling approaches, engineers can better utilise 600 MPa reinforcement, reducing steel quantities while maintaining structural performance.