Experimental Study of Precast Bridge Columns with Built-In Elastomer

Abstract

Two one-third-scale precast concrete segmental column models with energy-dissipating plastic hinges were designed and tested on a shake table at the University of Nevada, Reno. Conventional reinforced concrete was used in the plastic hinge of one column (SC-2). In the other model, a built-in elastomeric pad integrated with the footing and a concrete segment constituted the plastic hinge (SBR-1). The purpose of using the pad was to minimize damage while dissipating energy through yielding of the longitudinal bars and deformation of the pad. Both columns were subjected to the same ground motion as was recorded at the Sylmar station during the 1994 Northridge, California, earthquake with increasing amplitudes until failure. Compared with conventional precast concrete segmental columns, both SC-2 and SBR-1 showed superior performance, such as minimal residual displacement and larger energy dissipation. SBR-1 with the elastomeric bearing pad dissipated more energy and was free from damage in the plastic hinge zone.

UHPC-filled duct connections for accelerated bridge construction of RC columns in high seismic zones

“…Socket connections were used in an actual bridge in the State of Washington to connect precast columns to footings [6]. Seismic performance of a column-to-footing connection with elastomeric rubber plastic hinge was investigated by Motaref et al [8]. This connection is categorized as an emerging technology-type connection.…”

Displacement Based Analysis and Design of Rocking Bridges

“…Rocking systems are perfectly compatible with Accelerated Bridge Construction as they comprise prefabricated elements with dry connections. In fact, restrained rocking systems [35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42] have already found their way to practice, with the Wigram-Magdala restrained rocking bridge in New Zealand [43] being the first restrained rocking bridge constructed.…”

Experimental test and seismic performance of partial precast concrete segmental bridge column with cast-in-place base

“…The most popular approach to increase the energy dissipation capacity of the columns is the use of metallic yielding components at the base of the columns, such as mild steel bars [6,7], high-performance steel bars [8], exterior yielding braces [3,9], and shape memory alloy bars [10,11]. Steel or FRP jackets [12,13], ductile fiber-reinforced concrete [14], and ultra-high performance steel fiber concrete (UFC) segments [15] have also been adopted at the base of the columns, as well as non-metallic devices such as rubber pads [3], elastomeric bearing pads [13,16], and steel shear resistant connecting across segment joints including the base of the column [17].…”