Study on the seismic performance of high-performance polypropylene fiber-reinforced lightweight aggregate concrete columns

Abstract

Seven specimens of high-performance polypropylene fiber-reinforced lightweight aggregate concrete (HPPLWC) columns and three specimens of lightweight aggregate concrete (LWAC) columns were tested under low cycle reciprocating loading to study the seismic behavior of HPPLWC columns. The effects of axial compression ratio, stirrup ratio and high-performance polypropylene fiber (HPPF) content on the seismic behavior of LWC columns were studied. The effectiveness of HPPFs to supersede stirrups under earthquake was also discussed. Through the study of the failure phenomenon, hysteretic curve, ductility, energy dissipation, stiffness degradation, shear capacity, and other test results, it was found that: The additional HPPF could effectively inhibit the development of cracks and ameliorate the failure mode of specimens. The enhancement effect of HPPF on ductility and energy dissipation of specimens was much higher than that of increasing stirrup ratio. The calculated value of shear capacity formula given by NZS3101 in New Zealand was in good agreement with the experimental results, providing a reference for the supplement and perfection of the LWAC code formula. The low stirrup ratio HPPLWC specimens and the high stirrup ratio LWAC specimens were similar to the seismic performance. Therefore, HPPFs could effectively supersede some stirrups in the seismic application of complex structures.