In this paper, the failure mechanisms of full-size concrete filled steel tubes(CFST) under uniaxial compression were investigated with nonlinear finite element method. Existing experimental results were employed to verify the validity of the finite element models of CFST specimens. Then, the numerical analysis was further conducted to study the mechanical behaviors of full-size CFST columns with circular and square cross sections under uniaxial compression. The simulation results indicate that the distribution of the contact pressure between circular steel tube and core concrete is much more uniform than that between square steel tube and concrete, resulting in much higher confinement and more efficient interaction between steel tube and core concrete in circular CFST columns, as well as ultimate load capacity and ultimate displacement. Extensive parametric analysis was also conducted to examine the effect of various parameters on the uniaxial compression behaviors of circular and square CFST columns. In this paper, the failure mechanisms of full-size concrete filled steel tubes (CFST) under uniaxial compression were investigated with nonlinear finite element method. The, the the finite element models of CFST specimens. Then, the numerical analysis was further conducted to study the mechanical behaviors of full-size CFST columns with circular and square cross sections under uniaxial compression. The simulation results indicate that the distribution of the contact pressure between circular steel tube and core concrete is much more uniform than that between square steel tube and concrete, resulting in much higher confinement and more efficient interaction between steel tube and core concrete in circular CFST columns, as well as ultimate load capacity and ultimate displacement. Extensive parametric analysis was also conducted to examine the effect of various parameters on the uniaxial compression behaviors of circular and squa re CFST columns.