MPC Research Reports
Report Details

Title:	Seismic Performance of Self-Consolidating Concrete Bridge Columns
Authors:	Nadim Wehbe, Ahmad Ghadban, and Todd Pauly
University:	South Dakota State University
Publication Date:	Sep 2017
Report #:	MPC-17-329
Project #:	MPC-402
TRID #:	01648192
Keywords:	admixtures, columns, concrete bridges, deflection, deformation curve, ductility, earthquake resistant design, modulus of elasticity, self compacting concrete

Abstract

The high amount of confining lateral steel required by seismic design provisions for rectangular bridge columns can cause steel congestion. The high amount of confining steel may hinder the placement of conventional concrete (CC). Self-consolidating concrete (SCC) eliminates or reduces concrete placement and consolidation issues in concrete members with steel congestion. There are limited data, however, on the seismic performance of SCC bridge columns. This study included experimental investigations to assess the stress-strain relationships of SCC mixes and the seismic performance of rectangular SCC bridge columns. SCC mixes, control CC mixes, and rectangular columns were tested. Experimental results of the concrete mixes showed that the strain at strength and the ultimate strain of SCC are higher than those of CC, while concrete ductility and the elastic modulus of SCC are lower than those of CC. Experimental results of the column tests showed that the use of SCC reduces displacement ductility and energy dissipation but increases drift ratio at failure. The SCC column performance under inelastic cyclic lateral loading was found to be satisfactory and comparable to that of CC columns.

How to Cite

Wehbe, Nadim, Ahmad Ghadban, and Todd Pauly. Seismic Performance of Self-Consolidating Concrete Bridge Columns, MPC-17-329. North Dakota State University - Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute, Fargo: Mountain-Plains Consortium, 2017.