This paper presents the cyclic behavior of four self-centering bridge bents with different construction details, including external energy dissipaters and neoprene isolation. The columns of these bents consisted of precast posttensioned concrete-filled fiber tubes (PPT-CFFT). A fifth monolithic moment resisting concrete bent was also tested as a reference specimen. The tests showed that PPT-CFFT bents can be used in bridge construction as a lateral load resistance system. The PPT-CFFT bents without external energy dissipaters displayed a lateral drift of approximately 9.2% without experiencing significant damage or residual displacement. The PPT-CFFT specimen with external energy dissipaters reached a drift angle of 9.2% with some damage. The reinforced concrete specimen failed at a drift angle of approximately 6.9% with substantial damage and residual displacement.
1 September 2015 in Construction and Building Materials
Precast segmental construction technique is an excellent candidate for economic rapid bridge construction in highly congested urban environments and environmentally sensitive regions. This paper presents the seismic behavior of four hybrid segmental columns consisting of precast posttensioned concrete-filled fiber tubes (PPT-CFFTs). A fifth monolithic column was also tested as a reference specimen. The columns were tested under increasing lateral loading cycles in a displacement control. The columns had circular cross section diameters of 203 mm and heights of 1,524 mm each. The parameters investigated included different construction details and energy dissipation systems. The PPT-CFFT columns developed lateral strength and deformation capacity comparable to those of the monolithic reinforced concrete column. However, the PPT-CFFT columns dissipated smaller hysteretic energy compared to that of the monolithic reinforced concrete column. Finally, a simple model was used to predict the backbone curves of se...