Title: Rapid Seismic Repair of Reinforced Concrete Bridge Columns

Author(s): Ruo-Yang Wu and Chris P. Pantelides

Publication: Structural Journal

Volume: 114

Issue: 5

Appears on pages(s): 1339-1350

Keywords: bridge; earthquake; fiber-reinforced polymer composites; finite element analysis; plastic hinge relocation; repair; resilience; seismic

DOI: 10.14359/51700789

Date: 9/1/2017

Abstract:
Experimental results are presented regarding the seismic repair of reinforced concrete bridge columns using a carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) shell and epoxy-anchored headed steel bars. The CFRP shell, consisting of unidirectional laminates in the hoop and vertical direction, encloses the headed bars and is filled with non-shrink concrete to relocate the column plastic hinge. Two columns designed to current standards—one in a cap beam-to-column connection and the other in a footing-to-column connection—were damaged under cyclic forces. Damage included longitudinal bar fracture and buckling across multiple spiral hoops; concrete damage in the plastic hinge region included cracking and spalling of the column core concrete. Finite element analysis was used to design the CFRP shell and the headed bars were designed for the increased flexural demand on the repaired section. The seismic repair was rapid, required minimal intervention, and successfully relocated the plastic hinge and restored strength and displacement capacity.