Refractory concrete is widely used in high-temperature industrial applications such as furnaces, kilns, and incinerators due to its excellent thermal stability and resistance to chemical attack. However, conventional refractory concrete is inherently brittle and exhibits low tensile strength and limited deformation capacity, which can lead to sudden failure under mechanical loading, particularly in structural elements such as columns. Improving the mechanical performance and failure resistance of refractory concrete is therefore of significant interest for enhancing the safety and durability of high-temperature structural systems.

The incorporation of stainless steel fibers into refractory concrete has proven to be an effective method for improving its mechanical behavior. Stainless steel fibers enhance crack-bridging capacity, delay crack propagation, and improve post-peak load-carrying capacity through fiber–matrix interaction. In addition, stainless steel fibers offer superior oxidation resistance and strength retention at elevated temperatures compared to carbon steel fibers, making them especially suitable for refractory applications.

Columns made of stainless steel fiber–reinforced refractory concrete are frequently subjected to axial compressive loads in service. Understanding their compression behavior is essential for evaluating load-bearing capacity, deformation characteristics, stiffness degradation, and failure modes. Compression behavior tests provide critical insight into stress–strain relationships, peak compressive strength, ductility, and energy absorption capacity, as well as the influence of fiber content, aspect ratio, and distribution.

This study focuses on the numerical investigation of the compression behavior of stainless steel fiber–reinforced refractory concrete columns. Through axial compression testing, the effects of stainless steel fiber reinforcement on strength enhancement, deformation capacity, and failure mechanisms are examined and compared with those of plain refractory concrete. The results aim to provide a scientific basis for the structural design and optimization of fiber-reinforced refractory concrete columns used in high-temperature and heavy-load environments.