A　circular　concrete-filled　double　steel　tubular　column　(CFDST)　with　a　square　hollow　section　(SHS)　as　an　inner　tube　is　introduced　as　a　new　form　of　a　composite　column　in　the　paper.　A　series　of　axial　compression　tests　that　are　carried　out　on　this　new　type　of　composite　column　is　reported　in　this　study.　Three-dimensional　models　based　on　the　finite　element　(FE)　program　ABAQUS　are　also　developed　for　such　columns　employing　a　modified　confined　concrete　constitutive　model　for　the　core　concrete.　The　accuracy　of　the　model　is　verified　by　comparing　the　FE　model　with　the　experimental　results.　The　effects　of　various　parameters　on　the　load-axial　strain　response　of　CFDST　short　columns　are　studied　by　using　the　validated　FE　model.　The　suggested　formulas　based　on　the　confined　concrete　model　for　calculating　the　bearing　capacity　of　CFDST　short　columns　are　proposed.　©　2020　Elsevier　Ltd