Cyclic load tests and finite element modeling of self-centering hollow-core FRP-concrete-steel bridge columns

This paper presents experimental and numerical investigations of the seismic perfor-mance of a novel self-centering (SC) hollow-core (HC) fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP)-concrete-steel (SC-HC-FCS) bridge column. This new structure is fabricated by mounting external energy dissipators (ED) and applying unbonded post-tensioned (PT) basalt FRP (BFRP) tendon to the conventional HC-FCS column that consists of an outer FRP tube and an inner steel tube, with the space between filled with concrete. The SC-HC-FCS column combines the advantages of accel-erated bridge construction and self-centering. The effects of the initial prestress force values and the configuration of the energy-dissipated aluminum bar on the column performance are studied. Based on the experimental and numerical results, it is found that the proposed SC-HC-FCS column shows adequate self-centering and energy dissipation capacities. However, it is required to properly select the configuration and material properties of the aluminum bar as energy dissipators to further refine the seismic resistance of the SC-HC-FCS column.(c) 2023 THE AUTHORS. Published by Elsevier BV on behalf of Faculty of Engineering, Alexandria University. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/ licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

Automated summary

This paper presents experimental and numerical investigations of a novel self-centering hollow-core fiber-reinforced polymer concrete-steel bridge column. The proposed structure combines the advantages of accelerated bridge construction and self-centering. The results show that the column has adequate self-centering and energy dissipation capacities, but further refinement of the seismic resistance is needed by selecting the configuration and material properties of the aluminum bar as energy dissipators.