Abstract
This paper evaluates the seismic behavior of eight one-third-scale concrete bridge piers reinforced with various configurations of steel or glass fiber–reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars. Each specimen was tested under a constant axial gravity load, combined with reversed quasistatic cyclic lateral loading. The behavior of the piers was assessed and compared in terms of strength, stiffness, deformability, energy dissipation, and damage. The results indicate that well-detailed hybrid configurations with steel longitudinal bars and GFRP spirals offer a ductile seismic response with reduced postpeak strength degradation. The GFRP spirals were effective in confining the concrete core and restraining longitudinal bar buckling. Piers reinforced with GFRP longitudinal and transverse bars exhibit a stable and deformable seismic response with little residual displacement or strength degradation. However, this behavior was accompanied by a reduction in effective stiffness exceeding 40% and approximately half the hysteretic energy dissipation at an equivalent drift level. All piers reinforced with GFRP bars or spirals exceeded lateral drift requirements set by North American codes.
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Acknowledgments
The authors would like to acknowledge Callaghan Innovation for funding this research programme and Pultron Composites for generously supplying materials. The experimental assistance of the technical staff in the Structural Engineering Laboratory (SEL) of the University of Canterbury is also gratefully acknowledged.
Notation
The following symbols are used in this paper:
- Ab
- nominal area of reinforcement bar (mm2);
- db
- longitudinal reinforcement diameter (mm);
- dt
- transverse reinforcement diameter (mm);
- Eacc,u
- accumulative energy dissipation at ultimate drift (kNm);
- Eb
- modulus of elasticity of reinforcement (GPa);
- Ei
- energy dissipated in one hysteretic cycle (kNm);
- F
- lateral force resisted by specimen (kN);
- FA
- force measured in horizontal actuator (kN);
- Fmax
- maximum experimental lateral force (kN);
- f ′c
- average compressive concrete cylinder stress (MPa);
- fu
- ultimate strength of GFRP reinforcement (MPa);
- fy
- yield strength of steel reinforcement (MPa);
- KBM
- effective stiffness of the benchmark specimen (kN/m);
- Ke
- effective stiffness (kN/m);
- Lmd
- length from actuator to center of most-damaged region (mm);
- Lp
- average length of concrete damage (mm);
- Ltot
- total height of the column and footing (mm);
- M
- moment at the critical section (kNm);
- Mmax
- maximum experimental flexural resistance (kNm);
- P
- axial load applied to the specimen (kN);
- Po
- nominal axial load capacity specimen (kN);
- pi
- displacement of linear potentiometer (mm);
- s
- center-to-center spacing of transverse reinforcement (mm);
- Δ
- adjusted tip displacement of the specimen (mm);
- Δact
- horizontal actuator displacement (mm);
- Δbase
- lateral deformation of steel footing (mm);
- Δe
- effective yield displacement (mm);
- Δfoot
- tip displacement due to lateral deformation of steel footing (mm);
- Δu
- ultimate displacement when lateral resistance reduces to 80% (mm);
- Δuplift
- tip displacement due to uplift in the steel footing (mm);
- strain at reinforcement rupture (%);
- lateral drift of specimen (%);
- rotation at base of specimen due to uplift (%);
- residual drift at ULS displacement (%);
- ultimate drift when lateral resistance reduces to 80% (%);
- inclination of vertical actuators (rad);
- drift at first yield of longitudinal reinforcement (%);
- μu
- displacement ductility factor;
- curvature ductility factor;
- ρl
- longitudinal reinforcement ratio (%);
- ρv
- transverse reinforcement ratio (%);
- ϕ
- curvature at the critical section (1/m);
- ϕe
- effective yield curvature (1/m); and
- ϕu
- ultimate curvature at the critical section (1/m).
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© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Mar 2, 2022
Accepted: Dec 4, 2022
Published online: Feb 8, 2023
Published in print: Apr 1, 2023
Discussion open until: Jul 8, 2023
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Bars (structure)
- Bridge engineering
- Bridges
- Bridges (by material)
- Concrete bridges
- Earthquake engineering
- Engineering fundamentals
- Engineering materials (by type)
- Fiber reinforced polymer
- Fibers
- Geotechnical engineering
- Glass fibers
- Hydraulic engineering
- Hydraulic structures
- Materials engineering
- Piers
- Polymer
- Ports and harbors
- Seismic effects
- Seismic tests
- Steel bridges
- Structural engineering
- Structural members
- Structural systems
- Synthetic materials
- Tests (by type)
- Water and water resources
- Wood bridges
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