Investigation of the performance of grouted couplers in vehicle impacted reinforced concrete ABC bridge piers

Abstract

Increased dynamic impact on bridge piers caused by seismic events, blasts, and vehicular impact have become increasingly common. Recent research efforts indicate that code provisions for designing reinforced concrete members to withstand such dynamic loads are inadequate and need additional insights for this purpose. Numerous works have been undertaken to investigate reinforced concrete (RC) traditional bridge pier performance on high strain rate loading. However, little attention has been given to evaluate the performance of connections used in present day bridges including accelerated bridge constructions (ABC) to withstand vehicle impacts, and hence, is relatively unknown. In this study, the use of grouted couplers to contain the unbalanced moments resulting from vehicular impact forces exceeding the moment capacity of the reinforced concrete piers and avoiding extensive damage to the piers is investigated. A representative column, typical of those specified by state departments of transportation, is studied to determine the performance. The performance of the coupler is investigated for both dynamic and static combined stresses. Quasi-static to dynamic strain rates of steel reinforcement connected to the couplers is also evaluated. Quantifying the stresses and strains developed at coupler region from dynamic impact can help coupler manufacturers to optimize the strength properties, thus improving serviceability. This study investigated utilizing splice sleeves in mitigating the formation of plastic hinges, as well as addressing the essential properties of coupler sections required to adequately carry out this function, and will provide a useful design tool for the manufacturers, forensic structural engineers, and practitioners.

Sustainability and Resiliency Investigation of Grouted Coupler Embedded in RC ABC Bridge Pier at Vehicle Impact

“…Prototyped ABC pier with lower concrete strength has been utilized [27] to estimate damage of the coupler-steel bar region incurred by impact. The impact of the pier specimen is subjected to the concrete strength parameters due to its high vulnerability to vehicle impact due to its exposed surface area quantifying a good composition between the shear capacity to primarily resist the impact load, and the flexural capacity predominately control the serviceability of the pier [29,32]. However, this present study intends to quantify the coupler at high velocity post vehicle impact behavior at impact load.…”

<i>Retracted: </i>Performance of Grouted Coupler Embedded in Reinforced Concrete ABC Bridge Pier at Vehicle Impact

“…The performance of the coupler has investigated for both dynamic and static combined stresses for various vehicle impacts. Quasi-static to dynamic strain rates of steel reinforcement connected to the couplers is also evaluated and published in [4]. Characterizing damage incurred by impact is subjected to the concrete strength parameters quantifying a good tradeoff between the shear capacity to primarily resist the impact load, and the flexural capacity controlling principal serviceability of the pier [5].…”