Performance of new arrangement of transverse reinforcement in rectangular solid columns

What is it about?

The proposed reinforcement details are economically feasible and rational, and they facilitate shorter construction periods. The element-level specimens were tested under quasi-static monotonic loading. The proposed reinforcement details were equal to the conventional reinforcement details in terms of required performance. Six rectangular solid section columns were tested under a constant axial load and a cyclically reversed horizontal load. The behavior of the columns is discussed in terms of their lateral load-drift relationship, cumulative dissipated energy, and lateral load-strain curves. As a result, the proposed triangular reinforcement details were designed to be superior to the conventional reinforcement details in terms of required seismic performance. The goal of addressing reinforcement details is to maximize the post-earthquake functionality of a structure and to minimize the direct and indirect societal losses. A computer program, Reinforced Concrete Analysis in Higher Evaluation System Technology (RCAHEST), is used to analyze reinforced concrete structures. The proposed numerical method for the seismic performance assessment of new arrangement of transverse reinforcement in rectangular solid columns is verified by comparison with the experimental results.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

This study presents a new concept for the configuration of the transverse reinforcement that has several advantages. The present research focuses on the seismic performance of rectangular solid reinforced concrete bridge columns with triangular confining reinforcement under lateral cyclic loads. The authors propose a new configuration of transverse reinforcement with alternate cross-ties to solve the problem of construction complexity of conventional solid column sections. The proposed triangular reinforcement details for rectangular solid columns were expected to help the column to exhibit sufficient ductility and design strength. This improvement is also evaluated in terms of displacement capacity and cumulative dissipated energy capacity of the column, which is beneficial in displacement-based seismic design.

Perspectives