Title: Evaluation of Post-Earthquake Axial Load Capacity of Circular Bridge Columns

Author(s): Vesna Terzic and Bozidar Stojadinovic

Publication: Structural Journal

Volume: 112

Issue: 1

Appears on pages(s): 23-34

Keywords: axial tests; earthquake; quasi-static tests; post-earthquake lateral stiffness; reinforced concrete

DOI: 10.14359/51687296

Date: 1/1/2015

Abstract:
Objective evaluation of the capacity of a bridge to carry self-weight and traffic loads after an earthquake is essential for a safe and timely re-opening of the bridge. The ability of a bridge to function depends directly on the remaining capacity of the bridge columns to carry gravity and lateral loads. An experimental study on models of modern circular reinforced concrete bridge columns was performed to investigate the relationship between earthquake-induced damage in bridge columns and the capacity of the columns to carry axial load in a damaged condition. The earthquake-like damage was induced in the column specimens in bidirectional, quasi-static, lateral load tests. The damaged column specimens were then recentered to eliminate the residual drifts and tested in compression to failure to evaluate their remaining axial load strength. It was found that well-confined modern bridge columns lose approximately 20% of their axial load capacity after sustaining displacement ductility demands of 4.5.