High-Performance Fiber-Reinforced Concrete Bridge Columns under Bidirectional Cyclic Loading

• Published in: ACI structural journal Vol. 111; no. 2; p. 303
• Main Authors: Aviram, Ady, Stojadinovic, Bozidar, Parra-Montesinos, Gustavo J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Farmington Hills American Concrete Institute 01.03.2014
• Subjects: Bidirectional; Bridges; Bridges (structures); Columns (structural); Concrete construction; Deformation; Earthquakes; Fiber reinforced concretes; Highways; Reduction; Reinforced concrete; Reinforcement; Strain hardening; California
• ISSN: 0889-3241; 1944-7361
• DOI: 10.14359/51686522

An experimental and analytical study was carried out on circular column specimens representing cantilever bridge piers constructed with tensile strain-hardening, high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete (HPFRC). Two column specimens with different longitudinal reinforcement details in the expected plastic hinge zone were tested under bidirectional displacement reversals, and the results were compared with those of a geometrically identical specimen constructed using regular concrete and designed, according to current Caltrans bridge design specifications. The results demonstrate the considerable benefits of using tensile strain-hardening fiberreinforced concrete in typical highway overpass bridge columns. These benefits include: improved cyclic response; substantial reduction in transverse reinforcement and corresponding construction benefits; and increased damage tolerance and reduction of post-earthquake repair costs.