Column structures and methods for supporting compressive loads

A column assembly for supporting a compressive load, the column assembly comprising:

• a cylinder assembly, comprising:
• a tube member having a longitudinal length and an outer surface;
• and
• at least one reinforcing member circumscribing at least a portion of the outer surface of the tube member;
• a first endcap adapted to substantially cover a first longitudinal end of the tube member;
• a second endcap adapted to substantially cover a second longitudinal end of the tube member, the second endcap longitudinally movable relative to the tube member, wherein the tube member, the first endcap, and the second endcap enclose a volume;
• and
• a filler material operable to substantially fill the volume;
• wherein the filler material is operable to convert at least a first portion of the compressive load into tangential stress within a wall of the tube member.

A method for supporting a compressive load, comprising:

• providing a column assembly, comprising:
• a tube member having an outer diameter and a longitudinal length, the longitudinal length terminated by a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end of the tube member;
• a reinforcing member surrounding the outer diameter along at least a portion of the longitudinal length;
• a first endcap adapted to substantially cover the first longitudinal end of the tube member;
• and
• a second floating endcap adapted to substantially cover the second longitudinal end of the tube member, wherein the tube member, the first endcap, and the second floating endcap enclose a volume;
• filling the volume with a filler material;
• applying the compressive load between the first endcap and the second floating endcap, wherein a pressure of the filler material within the volume is increased;
• generating tangential stress in the tube member in response to the increased pressure of the filler material.

A column assembly for supporting a compressive load, comprising:

• a cylindrical tube member having an outer surface and a longitudinal length, the longitudinal length terminated by a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end;
• a wire rope helically wrapped around the outer surface of the cylindrical tube member over a substantial portion of the longitudinal length;
• a first endcap adapted to substantially seal the first longitudinal end of the tube member;
• and
• a second endcap adapted to substantially seal the second longitudinal end of the tube member, the second endcap operable to move longitudinally relative to the tube member, wherein the tube member, the first endcap, and the second endcap enclose a volume;
• and
• a filler material operable to substantially fill the volume;
• wherein the filler material is operable to convert at least a first portion of the compressive load into tangential stress within a wall of the tube member and is further operable to convert at least a second portion of the compressive load into tensile stress within the wire rope.