Effect of load pattern and history on performance of reinforced concrete columns

Abstract

Accurate and realistic assessment of the performance of columns in general, and those in critical locations that may cause progressive failure of the entire structure, in particular, is significantly important. This performance is affected by the load history, pattern, and intensity. Current design code does not consider the effect of load pattern on the load and displacement capacity of columns. A primary research sponsored by Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) was conducted as the initial step of the present study (No. K-TRAN: KSU-11-5). The main goals of the KDOT project were: (1) investigation of new KDOT requirements in terms of the column design procedure and detailing and their consistency with AASHTO provisions; (2) verification of the KDOT assumptions for the plastic hinge regions for columns and bridge piers, (3) provide assessment of the load capacity of the existing columns and bridge piers in the light of the new specifications and using the new load demand as in the new provisions; and finally recommendations for columns and bridge piers that do not meet the new requirements. A conclusion was drawn that there is a need for conducting more studies on the realistic performance of Reinforced Concrete (RC) sections and columns. The studies should have included performance of RC members under various loading scenarios, assessment of columns capacity considering confinement effect provided by lateral reinforcement, and investigation on performance of various monotonic and cyclic material models applied to simulate the realistic performance. In the study reported here, monotonic material models, cyclic rules, and plastic hinge models have been utilized in a fiber-based analytical procedure, and validated against experimental data to simulate behavior of RC section under various loading scenarios. Comparison of the analytical predictions and experimental data, through moment–curvature and force–deflection analyses, confirmed the accuracy and validity of the analytical algorithm and models. The performance of RC columns under various axial and lateral loading patterns was assessed in terms of flexural strength and energy dissipation. FRP application to enhance ductility, flexural strength, and shear capacity of existing deficient concrete structures has increased during the last two decades. Therefore, various aspects of FRP-confined concrete members, specifically monotonic and cyclic behavior of concrete members confined and reinforced by FRP, have been studied in many research programs, suggesting various monotonic models for concrete confined by only FRP. Exploration of existing model performances for predicting the behavior of several tested specimens shows a need for improvement of existing algorithms. The model proposed in the current study is a step in this direction. FRP wrapping is typically used to confine existing concrete members containing conventional lateral steel reinforcement (tie/spiral). The confining effect of lateral steel reinforcement in analytical studies has been uniquely considered in various models. Most models consider confinement due to FRP and ignore the effect of conventional lateral steel reinforcement. Exploration of existing model performances for predicting the behavior of several tested specimens confined by both FRP and lateral steel shows a need for improvement of existing algorithms. A model was proposed in this study which is a step in this direction. Performance of the proposed model and four other representative models from literature was compared to experimental data from four independent databases. In order to fulfill the need for a simple, yet accurate analytical tool for performance assessment of RC columns, a computer program was developed that uses relatively simple analytical methods and material models to accurately predict the performance of RC structures under various loading conditions, including cyclic lateral displacement under a non-proportionally variable axial load (Esmaeily and Xiao 2005, Esmaeily and Peterman 2007). However, it was limited to circular, rectangular, and hollow circular/rectangular sections and uniaxial lateral curvature or displacement. In this regards, a computer program was developed which is the next generation of the aforesaid program with additional functionality and options. Triangulation of the section allows opportunity for cross-sectional geometry. Biaxial lateral curvature/displacement/force combined with any sequence of axial load provides opportunity to analyze the performance of a reinforced concrete column under any load and displacement path. Use of unconventional reinforcement, such as FRP, in lateral as well as longitudinal direction is another feature of this application.