Performance Assessment of Hollow Precast Segmental Bridge Columns with Reinforcement Details for Material Quantity Reduction

Abstract

This study investigates the performance of hollow precast segmental bridge columns with reinforcement details for material quantity reduction. The proposed triangular reinforcement details are economically feasible and rational, and facilitate shorter construction periods. The precast segmental bridge columns provides an alternative to current cast-in-place systems. We tested a model of hollow precast segmental bridge columns under a constant axial load and a quasi-static, cyclically reversed horizontal load. We used a computer program, Reinforced Concrete Analysis in Higher Evaluation System Technology (RCAHEST), for analysis of reinforced concrete structures. The used numerical method gives a realistic prediction of performance throughout the loading cycles for hollow precast segmental bridge column specimens investigated. As a result, proposed reinforcement details for material quantity reduction was equal to existing reinforcement details in terms of required performance.