Seismic Performance Assessment of Hollow Reinforced Concrete and Prestressed Concrete Bridge Columns

Tae-Hoon Kim,Hyun Mock Shin,Dai-Jeong Seong

doi:10.1007/s40069-012-0015-y

Abstract

The aim of this study is to assess the seismic performance of hollow reinforced concrete and prestressed concrete bridge columns, and to provide data for developing improved seismic design criteria. By using a sophisticated nonlinear finite element analysis program, the accuracy and objectivity of the assessment process can be enhanced. A computer program, RCAHEST (Reinforced Concrete Analysis in Higher Evaluation System Technology), is used to analyze reinforced concrete and prestressed concrete structures. Tensile, compressive and shear models of cracked concrete and models of reinforcing and prestressing steel were used to account for the material nonlinearity of reinforced concrete and prestressed concrete. The smeared crack approach was incorporated. The proposed numerical method for the seismic performance assessment of hollow reinforced concrete and prestressed concrete bridge columns is verified by comparing it with the reliable experimental results. Additionally, the studies and discussions presented in this investigation provide an insight into the key behavioral aspects of hollow reinforced concrete and prestressed concrete bridge columns.

Highlights

Hollow bridge columns have become increasingly popular in bridge construction during the last few decades
The main goal of this study is to provide basic knowledge on the seismic performance of hollow reinforced concrete and prestressed concrete bridge columns
This paper has attempted to establish a framework for assessment of the seismic performance of hollow reinforced concrete and prestressed concrete bridge columns

Summary

Introduction

Hollow bridge columns have become increasingly popular in bridge construction during the last few decades. This article is published with open access at Springerlink.com Such columns, when properly detailed, were shown to perform in a ductile manner during cyclic lateral loading in the inelastic range, since the core of the tube walls was well confined by the reinforcement (Zahn et al 1990). The main goal of this study is to provide basic knowledge on the seismic performance of hollow reinforced concrete and prestressed concrete bridge columns. An evaluation method for the seismic performance of hollow reinforced concrete and prestressed concrete bridge columns is proposed. To assess the ability of the RCAHEST program to predict the seismic performance of hollow reinforced concrete and prestressed concrete bridge columns, computed results using the program were compared with the test results

Computational Platform for Seismic Performance Assessment

Hollow Reinforced Concrete Bridge Columns

Hollow Prestressed Concrete Bridge Columns

Findings

Conclusions