Seismic Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Bridge Columns at Sub-Freezing Temperatures

The final goal of this research was to develop recommendations for the future seismic design or assessment of reinforced concrete (RC) bridge bent structures in cold seismic regions. Ten large scale circular columns were constructed and tested under cyclic reversal of loads inside an environmental chamber in the North Carolina State University Constructed Facilities Laboratory (CFL). The columns were tested at freezing (-40°C, -40°F) and ambient (23°C, 74°F) temperatures. In order to characterize every aspect of the seismic response at low temperatures, the columns' design was governed by a desired behavior: shear dominated columns, flexural dominated columns and reinforced concrete filled steel tube columns. Results obtained show that RC members exposed to the combined effects of sub-freezing temperatures and cyclic loads undergo a gradual increase in strength and stiffness coupled with a reduction in displacement capacity. The experimental results were used to calibrate a fiber-based model and a series of static and inelastic analyses were performed to typical Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities bent configurations. Based on the results obtained from the experimental tests, the non-linear simulations and a moment-curvature parametric analysis, a simple methodology was developed to account for the low temperature flexural overstrength and reduction in ductility capacity.

• Record URL:
  http://www.dot.state.ak.us/stwddes/research/assets/pdf/fhwa_ak_rd_08_01.pdf
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  North Carolina State University, Raleigh

  Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering
  2501 Stinson Drive, Campus Box 7908
  Raleigh, NC  United States  27695-7908

  Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities

  Research, Development and Technology Transfer, 2301 Peger Road
  Fairbanks, AK  United States  99709-5399

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Montejo, Luis A
  • Kowalsky, Mervyn J
  • Hassan, Tasnim
• Publication Date: 2008-3

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 397p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bents; Columns; Ductility; Earthquake resistant design; Flexural strength; Frigid regions; Laboratory tests; Low temperature; Reinforced concrete bridges; Repeated loads; Simulation; Structural analysis
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01103975
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA-AK-RD-08-01
• Contract Numbers: HPR-4000(48)/61378
• Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Jul 2 2008 10:45AM