Experimental investigation of damage behavior of RC frame members including non-seismically designed columns

Reinforced concrete (RC) frame structures are one of the mostly common used structural systems, and their seismic performance is largely determined by the performance of columns and beams. This paper describes horizontal cyclic loading tests often column and three beam specimens, some of which were designed according to the current seismic design code and others were designed according to the early non-seismic Chinese design code, aiming at reporting the behavior of the damaged or collapsed RC frame strctures observed during the Wenchuan earthquake. The effects of axial load ratio,shear span ratio, and transverse and longitudinal reinforcement ratio on hysteresis behavior, ductility and damage progress were incorporated in the experimental study. Test results indicate that the non-seismically designed columns show premature shear failure, and yield larger maximum residual crack widths and more concrete spalling than the seismically designed columns. In addition, longitudinal steel reinforcement rebars were severely buckled. The axial load ratio and shear span ratio proved to be the most important factors affecting the ductility, crack opening width and closing ability, while the longitudinal reinforcement ratio had only a minor effect on column ductility, but exhibited more influence on beam ductility. Finally, the transverse reinforcement ratio did not influence the maximum residual crack width and closing ability of the seismically designed columns.     

中空暗缝RC剪力墙板拟静力试验及数值模拟分析

为明晰中空暗缝RC剪力墙抗剪机理和滞回性能,进行1榀1:3缩尺单层、单跨中空暗缝RC剪力墙板拟静力试验,得到了试件破坏模式、滞回曲线、骨架曲线、刚度退化、强度退化、延性和耗能能力.通过数值模拟分析了混凝土强度、中空暗缝厚度、缝间墙配筋率对剪力墙板水平抗剪承载力的影响.研究结果表明:试件滞回曲线呈捏缩状,耗能能力一般,但...     

Design of transverse reinforcement to avoid premature buckling of main bars

This paper proposes an enhancement to the current strength and confinement‐based design of transverse reinforcement in rectangular and circular reinforced concrete members to ensure that the flexural strength of reinforced concrete sections does not degrade excessively due to buckling of longitudinal bars until the desired level of plastic deformation is achieved. Antibuckling design criteria are developed based on a popular bar buckling model that uses a bar buckling parameter (combining the bar diameter, yield strength, and buckling length) to solely describe the bar buckling behavior. The value of buckling parameter that limits the buckling‐induced stress loss to 15% in compression bars at the strain corresponding to the design ductility is determined. For a bar of known diameter and yield strength, the maximum allowable buckling length can then be determined, which serves as the maximum limit for the tie/stirrup/hoop spacing. Lateral stiffness required to restrain the buckling tendency of main bars at the locations of the ties/stirrups/hoops depends on the flexural rigidity of the main bars and the buckling length (equal to or multiple of tie/hoop/stirrup spacing), whereas the antibuckling stiffness (ie, resistance) provided by the ties/stirrups/hoops depends on their size, number, and arrangement. Using the above concept, design recommendations for the amount, arrangement, and spacing of rectangular and circular ties/stirrups/hoops are then established to ensure that the antibuckling stiffness of the provided transverse reinforcement is greater than the stiffness required to restrain the buckling‐prone main bars. Key aspects of the developed method are verified using experimental tests from literature.     

Estimation of monotonic behavior of reinforced concrete columns considering shear‐flexure‐axial load interaction

Reinforced concrete columns with insufficient transverse reinforcement and non‐seismic reinforcement details are vulnerable to brittle shear failure and to loss of axial load carrying capacity in the event of a strong earthquake. In this paper, a procedure is presented after examining the application of two macro models for displacement‐based analysis of reinforced concrete columns subjected to lateral loads. In the proposed model, lateral load‐deformation response of the column is simulated by estimating flexural and shear deformation components separately while considering their interaction and then combining these together according to a set of rules depending upon column's yield, flexural and shear strengths. In addition, lateral deformation caused by reinforcement slip in beam–column joint regions and buckling of compression bars are taken into account and considered in the analysis. Implementation of the proposed procedure produces satisfactory lateral load–displacement relationships, which are comparable with experimental data. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Experimental research and finite element analysis of bridge piers failed in flexure-shear modes

In recent earthquakes, a large number of reinforced concrete （RC） bridges were severely damaged due to mixed flexure-shear failure modes of the bridge piers. An integrated experimental and finite element （FE） analysis study is described in this paper to study the seismic performance of the bridge piers that failed in flexure-shear modes. In the first part, a nonlinear cyclic loading test on six RC bridge piers with circular cross sections is carried out experimentally. The damage states, ductility and energy dissipation parameters, stiffness degradation and shear strength of the piers are studied and compared with each other. The experimental results suggest that all the piers exhibit stable flexural response at displacement ductilities up to four before exhibiting brittle shear failure. The ultimate performance of the piers is dominated by shear capacity due to significant shear cracking, and in some cases, rupturing of spiral bars. In the second part, modeling approaches describing the hysteretic behavior of the piers are investigated by using ANSYS software. A set of models with different parameters is selected and evaluated through comparison with experimental results. The influences of the shear retention coefficients between concrete cracks, the Bauschinger effect in longitudinal reinforcement, the bond-slip relationship between the longitudinal reinforcement and the concrete and the concrete failure surface on the simulated hysteretic curves are discussed. Then, a modified analysis model is presented and its accuracy is verified by comparing the simulated results with experimental ones. This research uses models available in commercial FE codes and is intended for researchers and engineers interested in using ANSYS software to predict the hysteretic behavior of reinforced concrete structures.     

Failure simulation of shear‐critical RC columns with non‐ductile detailing under lateral load

Reinforced concrete columns with non‐ductile detailing typically exhibit a softening behavior characterized by severe degradation when subjected to cyclic lateral loads. Whether the response is brittle or ductile, shear failure occurs with an inclined through crack along which sliding occurs coupled with loss of horizontal and vertical load‐bearing capacity of the member. The rapid loss of resistance after the peak strength is reached is because of one or more of the following local failure mechanisms: brittle failure of poorly confined concrete; buckling of longitudinal reinforcing bars because of lack of adequate transverse reinforcement or following opening of stirrups after spalling of cover concrete; bond failure. In this study, a modeling strategy to build a detailed 3D finite element model capable of capturing all of the above‐mentioned local failure mechanisms is presented. In particular, a steel–concrete interface model for representing the interaction within the member between concrete core, cover and longitudinal and transverse reinforcement is proposed. Comparison with results of an experimental test of a shear‐sensitive column demonstrates the effectiveness of the simulation up to failure of the element. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Interior wide beam-column connections in existing RC frames subjected to lateral earthquake loading

The seismic performance of two RC interior wide beam-column connections representative of existing frames designed and detailed according to past construction practices in the moderate-seismicity Mediterranean area was investigated experimentally. The specimens were subjected to axial loads, moderate levels of gravity loading and cyclic displacements up to failure. The specimens exhibited a “strong column-weak beam” type of flexural yielding mechanism. The wide beams did not reach the expected capacities corresponding to the formation of a full-width plastic hinge. The wide-beam longitudinal bars exhibited significant slippage, and the transverse beams underwent severe torsion cracking and even failure; this caused severe pinching in the load versus displacement hysteretic loops and exacerbated the intrinsic flexibility of this type of connection. The average drift ratios at first yielding of the wide beam longitudinal reinforcement and at failure were 2.7 and 4.5%, respectively. The displacement ductility ratio was about 2.8. The ultimate energy dissipation capacity of each specimen—obtained by dividing the total plastic strain energy by the product of the yield load and yield displacement—was approximately 9, which is about one fourth of the value recommended for providing adequate seismic performance. Finally, a simple approach is suggested for prediction of the bending capacity of existing connections.     

Experimental study of hollow rectangular bridge column performance under vertical and cyclically bilateral loads

To investigate the seismic performance of hollow reinforced concrete(RC) bridge columns of rectangular cross section under constant axial load and cyclically biaxial bending,five specimens were tested.A parametric study is carried out for different axial load ratios,longitudinal reinforcement ratios and lateral reinforcement ratios.The experimental results showed that all tested specimens failed in the flexural failure mode and their ultimate performance was dominated by flexural capacity,which is represented by the rupture/buckling of tensile longitudinal rebars at the bottom of the bridge columns.Biaxial force and displacement hysteresis loops showed significant stiffness and strength degradations,and the pinching effect and coupling interaction effect of both directions severely decrease the structural seismic resistance.However,the measured ductility coefficient varying from 3.5 to 5.7 and the equivalent viscous damping ratio varying from 0.19 and 0.26 can meet the requirements of the seismic design.The hollow RC rectangular bridge columns with configurations of lateral reinforcement in this study have excellent performance under bidirectional earthquake excitations,and may be considered as a substitute for current hollow RC rectangular section configurations described in the Guideline for Seismic Design of Highway Bridges(JTG/T B02-01-2008).The length of the plastic hinge region was found to approach one sixth of the hollow RC rectangular bridge column height for all specimen columns,and it was much less than those specified in the current JTG/T.Thus,the length of the plastic hinge region is more concentrated for RC rectangular hollow bridge columns.     

Seismic behavior of ductile rectangular composite bridge piers

The seismic resistance characteristics of a newly developed composite bridge pier system are examined via a series of experimental studies. In this innovative bridge pier system, the shear strength is provided by the steel tube and the concrete confined by the steel tube. No transverse shear reinforcement is used in this system. Axial and flexural strengths of the bridge pier are exerted by the longitudinal reinforcements and the concrete. A gap between the end of steel tube and the reinforced concrete foundation contributes to the steel tube providing shear resistance only without sharing the flexural moment. From the experimental results of this study, it is found that the flexural strength of the proposed composite bridge pier can be predicted accurately by the conventional method that was used in the reinforced concrete structures. Shear strength of the composite bridge pier can be obtained by summing up shear strengths of the concrete and the steel tube. Excellent deformation capacities are also found from the experimental studies. The proposed composite bridge pier system not only simplifies the construction work greatly, but also provides superior seismic resistance as compared with that of the conventional method. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Long‐term seismic performance of reinforced concrete bridges under steel reinforcement corrosion due to chloride attack

This work presents a new seismic evaluation methodology for corroded reinforced concrete bridges on the basis of nonlinear static pushover analysis. Corrosion of steel reinforcement by chloride attack is considered. At the material level, the effects of corrosion are considered by modeling the degradation of the mechanical properties of steel reinforcement, softening of cover concrete under compression, degradation of core concrete due to confinement steel corrosion, and reduction of bond strength between concrete and steel reinforcement. At the structural level, the effects of corrosion on both flexural behavior and shear behavior, and their interaction are considered. Eleven bridges of various structural types in Taiwan that are located within 6.5 km of their nearest coastline are analyzed to identify their long‐term seismic performance. Relationships between the yield and collapse peak ground accelerations (PGAs), and service time and corrosion level are established for each bridge. Analysis results show that chloride corrosion starts in 2–32 years. The transverse steel reinforcement typically starts corroding before the longitudinal steel reinforcement, as the former has a thicker cover. Research results show that collapse PGA reduces by 0.94% or 1.23% per 10 years when the mean value plus 1 or 2 standard deviation of the collapse PGA values are considered, respectively. Therefore, we suggest increasing the design PGA from 4.70% to 6.15% for a bridge adjacent to a coastline to ensure adequate long‐term seismic performance for 50 years, the typical design life span of a regular bridge. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

锈蚀钢筋混凝土构件反复荷载下性能退化研究

为研究地震作用下钢筋锈蚀对试件性能退化影响的规律,对6个锈蚀钢筋混凝土受弯构件进行低周反复荷载试验,得到不同锈蚀程度试件的滞回曲线及骨架曲线,分析了钢筋锈蚀对试件强度和刚度的影响。试验发现,随着钢筋锈蚀程度的增大,各试件强度退化基本呈增大趋势;低锈蚀率试件由于锈胀内力的存在,强度退化相对比未锈蚀试件和高锈蚀试件大;随着锈蚀率的增大,试件加载和卸载刚度总体上逐渐减小,且随着位移的增大而持续减小。此外,还分析了锈蚀钢筋混凝土结构刚度退化机理。成果可供锈蚀钢筋混凝土结构抗震性能研究参考。     

Reinforced concrete beam–column joints with crossed inclined bars under cyclic deformations

This experimental study investigates the effectiveness of crossed inclined bars (X‐bars) as joint shear reinforcement in exterior reinforced concrete beam–column connections under cyclic deformations. Test results of 20 joint subassemblages with various reinforcement ratios and arrangements including X‐bars in the joint area are presented. The X‐type, non‐conventional reinforcement is examined as the only joint reinforcement and in combination with common stirrups or vertical bars. The experimental results reported herein include full loading cycle curves, energy dissipation values and a categorization of the observed damage modes. Based on the comparisons between the overall hysteretic responses of the tested specimens, it is deduced that joints with X‐bars exhibited enhanced cyclic performance and improved damage mode since a distinct flexural hinge was developed in the beam–joint interface. Further, the combination of crossed inclined bars and stirrups in joint area resulted in enhanced hysteretic response and excellent performance capabilities of the specimens. However, in some specimens with X‐bars as the only joint shear reinforcement, the deformations of the bent anchorage of the beam's bars caused considerable damages at the back of the joint area. Discussion for a potential replacement of the joint stirrups with X‐type reinforcement in some cases of exterior joints is also included. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

钢筋混凝土圆形截面柱式桥墩抗震性能评价

对4座典型的钢筋混凝土圆形截面双柱式桥墩，利用Priestley等建议的钢筋混凝土桥墩抗剪强度计算方法和型态描述方程，结合Rush-over方法进行了延性抗震能力评价。一般说来，纵桥向能够满足延性抗震要求，而横桥向一些配箍率较低的桥墩在地震中会发生脆性的弯剪破坏，其底部塑性铰将形成在柱基之中，部分桩基可能会遭受损害。     

Analytical and experimental investigations on seismic performance of exterior beam–column subassemblages of existing RC‐framed building

Seismic performance of exterior beam–column subassemblages of reinforced concrete structure designed and detailed on the basis of the provisions of Eurocode and Indian Standards at different stages of their evolution is evaluated. Performance of the subassemblages designed and detailed according to the three different stages of codal evolution (gravity load design, ‘Nonductile’, and ‘Ductile’) is evaluated through analytical formulations and experimental investigations. In the ‘NonDuctile’ specimens, it has been observed that the shear distortion and degradation in stiffness and strength are significantly high. Performance of the ‘Ductile’ specimens based on Eurocode and Indian Standards is almost similar in terms of strength and stiffness degradation. Nevertheless, the specimen designed on the basis of Indian Standard shows higher energy dissipation at a given drift ratio. In the analytical study, shear and flexural failure of members of subassemblage and shear failure of the joint are considered as possible modes of failure of the beam–column subassemblage. For evaluating the shear strength of the joint region, a soften strut‐and‐tie model is used. Analytically obtained strengths based on the failure criteria of different components of the specimens have been first validated with experimental results and then used to determine the strength of the specimens. The investigation could indicate even the mode of failure at local level. It is utmost important to mention here that even the ductile specimens dissipate most of the energy through the development of damage in the joint region, which is neither desirable nor safe for the stability of whole structure. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Seismic behavior and strength capacity of steel tube‐reinforced concrete composite columns

The steel tube‐reinforced concrete (ST‐RC) composite column is a novel type of composite column, which consists of a steel tube embedded in RC. In this paper, the seismic behavior of ST‐RC columns is examined through a series of experiments in which 10 one‐third scale column specimens were subjected to axial forces and lateral cyclic loading. The test variables include the axial force ratio applied to the columns and the amount of transverse reinforcement. All specimens failed in a flexural mode, showing stable hysteresis loops. Thanks to the steel tube and the high‐strength concrete it is filled with, the ST‐RC column specimens had approximately 30% lower axial force ratios and 22% higher maximum bending moments relative to the comparable RC columns when subjected to identical axial compressive loads. The amount of transverse reinforcement made only a small difference to the lateral load‐carrying capacity but significantly affected the deformation and energy dissipation capacity of the ST‐RC columns. The specimens that satisfied the requirements for transverse reinforcement adopted for medium ductile RC columns as specified by the Chinese Code for Seismic Design of Buildings (GB 50011‐2010) and EuroCode 8 achieved an ultimate drift ratio of around 0.03 and a displacement ductility ratio of approximately 5. The design formulas used to evaluate the strength capacity of the ST‐RC columns were developed on the basis of the superposition method. The predictions from the formulas showed good agreement with the test results, with errors no greater than 10%. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A distributed shear and flexural flexibility model with shear–flexure interaction for R/C members subjected to seismic loading

A beam–column‐type finite element for seismic assessment of reinforced concrete (R/C) frame structures is presented. This finite element consists of two interacting, distributed flexibility sub‐elements representing inelastic flexural and shear response. Following this formulation, the proposed model is able to capture spread of flexural yielding, as well as spread of shear cracking, in R/C members. The model accounts for shear strength degradation with inelastic curvature demand, as well as coupling between inelastic flexural and shear deformations after flexural yielding, observed in many experimental studies. An empirical relationship is proposed for evaluating the average shear distortion of R/C columns at the onset of stirrup yielding. The proposed numerical model is validated against experimental results involving R/C columns subjected to cyclic loading. It is shown that the model can predict well the hysteretic response of R/C columns with different failure modes, i.e. flexure‐critical elements, elements failing in shear after flexural yielding, and shear‐critical R/C members. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Shear effects on hollow section piers under seismic actions: experimental and numerical analysis

Shear effects are often a very important issue on the seismic behaviour of piers, particularly for hollow section bridge piers. In fact, for this type of piers the cyclic response is similar to that of a structural wall in which both the transverse reinforcement ratio and the detailing can play an important role on its performance, even likely to be determinant in terms of the failure mechanism. On the other hand, codes and design guidelines are usually very conservative concerning shear capacity in order to avoid any shear failure mechanism likely to trigger well known catastrophic consequences. Therefore, research studies on this topic are still needed for a better understanding of pier cyclic shear response and also for improvement of the performance under seismic actions. Pursuing this general objective, this paper partially reports on an experimental/numerical campaign carried out on 1:4 reduced scale bridge piers in order to highlight and investigate shear-type problems. Within the scope of this paper, two specimens types were selected having equal rectangular hollow section (900 × 450 mm², 75 mm thick) but different transverse reinforcement detailing, namely one with a single stirrup per wall (representative of typical bridge construction without seismic design requirements) and another with multiple stirrups, according to Eurocode 8 provisions. Numerical simulations of the experimental results were also conducted aiming at contributing for complete and consistent interpretations of experimental results. Detailed modelling was performed allowing for realistic simulations of the non linear behaviour, particularly suitable when a significant shear component is involved. Therefore, the numerical strategy was based on a detailed 3D FEM discretization using a two-scalar variable damage model for the concrete constitutive law and a suitable cyclic behaviour law for steel bars represented by truss elements. Results have shown that shear deformation and failure modes are well simulated, while providing detailed insight concerning concrete damage pattern and distribution of yielding on the transverse and longitudinal reinforcement.     

Rapid repair of severely earthquake-damaged bridge piers with flexural-shear failure mode

An experimental study was conducted to investigate the feasibility of a proposed rapid repair technique for severely earthquake-damaged bridge piers with flexural-shear failure mode. Six circular pier specimens were first tested to severe damage in flexural-shear mode and repaired using early-strength concrete with high-fluidity and carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP). After about four days, the repaired specimens were tested to failure again. The seismic behavior of the repaired specimens was evaluated and compared to the original specimens. Test results indicate that the proposed repair technique is highly effective. Both shear strength and lateral displacement of the repaired piers increased when compared to the original specimens, and the failure mechanism of the piers shifted from flexural-shear failure to ductile flexural failure. Finally, a simple design model based on the Seible formulation for post-earthquake repair design was compared to the experimental results. It is concluded that the design equation for bridge pier strengthening before an earthquake could be applicable to seismic repairs after an earthquake if the shear strength contribution of the spiral bars in the repaired piers is disregarded and 1.5 times more FRP sheets is provided.     

板钉连接CFST柱-RC梁节点梁端塑性铰区受力性能数值模拟

建立竖板-栓钉连接钢管混凝土（CFST）柱-钢筋混凝土（RC）梁节点试件（SSJD）拟静力加载试验有限元模型,并在节点损伤情况、梁端荷载-位移曲线等数值模拟结果与试验结果吻合较好的基础上,进一步开展了RC梁混凝土强度、配筋率ρ_s和连接竖板长度L_b及界面连接情况等对CFST柱-RC梁节点梁端塑性铰区域力学性能的影响。研究结果表明,RC梁混凝土强度对试件SSJD塑性铰区域受力性能的影响较小;适筋范围内RC梁配筋率增加可适当提高试件SSJD承载力和延性;随着连接竖板长度的增加,梁端塑性铰区域外移,梁破坏荷载增大;本研究给出的RC梁与CFST柱之间的界面抗剪承载力模拟值与计算值吻合较好,可用于界面抗剪设计。     

Cyclic tests on steel and concrete‐filled tube frames with Slit Walls

Cyclic loading tests were performed on three one‐storey steel frames and four three‐storey concrete‐filled tube (CFT) moment frames reinforced with a new type of earthquake‐resisting element consisting of a steel plate shear wall with vertical slits. In this shear wall system, the steel plate segments between the slits behave as a series of flexural links, which provide fairly ductile response without the need for heavy stiffening of the wall. The steel shear walls and the moment frames behaved in a ductile manner up to more than 4% drift without abrupt strength degradation or loss of axial resistance. Results of these tests and complementary analysis provide a basis for an equivalent brace model to be employed in commercially available frame analysis programs. Test and analytical results suggest that the horizontal force is carried by the bolts in the middle portion of the wall–frame connection, while the vertical forces coupled with the moment in the connection are resisted by the bolts in the edge portion of the connection, for which the friction bolts in the connection should be designed. When sufficient transverse stiffening is provided, full plastic strength and non‐degrading hysteretic behaviour can be achieved for this new type of shear wall. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.