Abstract
The increasing number of road infrastructures needing repair and retrofit is raising the problem of how to improve seismic behaviour for all those structures for which substitution is unlikely. This work deals with the application of a retrofitting technique for Reinforced Concrete (RC) elements based on the use of Ultra High Performance Fibre Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC). A thin layer of UHPFRC, cast around an existing RC element, can both improve its structural performance and enhance its durability against environmental actions. This kind of rehabilitation intervention may represent, in many practical cases, a cost effective solution compared with the replacement of the entire structure. The aim of this paper is the definition of a reinforcement strategy and the presentation of a 1:4 scale laboratory test of a highway bridge pier reinforced with a 30 mm layer of UHPFRC.
Highlights
In the few years, the number of Reinforcing Concrete (RC) road transport infrastructures needing repair and retrofit is likely to increase in many Western countries
This paper presents an application of Ultra High Performance Fibre Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC) for seismic retrofitting of bridge piers which represents, in many cases, a faster and cost effective solution when compared to the substitution of the entire structure
The cross-section area is equal to 9,385,960 mm2 and the total longitudinal reinforcement area is 164,588 mm2, corresponding to a reinforcement ratio of 1.75%
Summary
In the few years, the number of Reinforcing Concrete (RC) road transport infrastructures needing repair and retrofit is likely to increase in many Western countries. The A1 “Autostrada del sole” was completed in 1964, the A10 “Autostrada dei fiori” in 1971, and the A14 “Autostrada adriatica” in 1974. In these 50 years, vehicles number and traffic loads have increased and seismic regulations have been introduced or renewed. For these reasons, it is the Authors’ conviction that there is an extreme need to verify and to intervene on the safety of these infrastructures, especially on highway bridge piers. How the seismic behaviour of these structures can be improved?
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
