Low-Damage Precast Columns for Accelerated Bridge Construction in High Seismic Zones

Abstract

AbstractAccelerated bridge construction (ABC) is a feature incorporating new technologies, advanced planning, and new detailing to expedite bridge construction. Accelerated bridge construction offers many benefits, the most important of which is faster onsite construction. Precast systems and members are the key components of ABC. Even though the application of precast systems is common in low and moderate seismic regions, implementation of precast columns in high seismic zones has been scarce because of uncertainty in the seismic performance of precast member connections. Three low-damage materials, ultrahigh-performance concrete (UHPC), engineered cementitious composite (ECC), and nickel–titanium shape memory alloy (NiTi SMA), were incorporated in this study, in either the connection or the plastic hinge of a half-scale bridge column test model to develop a precast column that exhibits improved seismic performance over columns built cast-in-place with conventional materials. The column damage was signif...