Impact response and parametric studies of reinforced concrete circular columns

This paper presents a detailed description of the influence of critical parameters that govern the vulnerability of columns under lateral impact loads. Numerical simulations are conducted by using the Finite Element program LS-DYNA, incorporating steel reinforcement, material models and strain rate effects. A simplified method based on impact pulse generated from full scale impact tests is used for impact reconstruction and effects of the various pulse loading parameters are investigated under low to medium velocity impacts. A constitutive material model which can simulate failures under tri-axial state of stresses is used for concrete. Confinement effects are also introduced to the numerical simulation and columns of Grade 30 to 50 concrete under pure axial loading are analysed in detail. This research confirmed that the vulnerability of the axially loaded columns can be mitigated by reducing the slenderness ratio and concrete grade, and by choosing the design option with a minimal amount of longitudinal steel. Additionally, it is evident that approximately a 50% increase in impact capacity can be gained for columns in medium rise buildings by enhancing the confinement effects alone. Results also indicated that the ductility as well as the mode of failure under impact can be changed with the volumetric ratio of lateral steel. Moreover, to increase the impact capacity of the vulnerable columns, a higher confining stress is required. The general provisions of current design codes do not sufficiently cover this aspect and hence this research will provide additional guidelines to overcome the inadequacies of code provisions.

Shear-critical impact response of biaxially loaded reinforced concrete circular columns

A study on the vulnerability of biaxially loaded reinforced concrete (RC) circular columns in multi-story buildings under low- to medium-velocity impacts at shear-critical locations is presented. The study is based on a previously validated nonlinear explicit dynamic finite element (FE) modeling technique developed by the authors. The impact is simulated using force pulses generated from full-scale vehicle impact tests abundantly found in the literature with a view to quantifying the sensitivity of the design parameters of the RC columns under the typical impacts that are representative of the general vehicle population. The design parameters considered include the diameter and height of the column, the vertical steel ratio, the concrete grade, and the confinement effects. From the results of the simulations, empirical equations to quantify the critical impulses for the simplified design of the short, circular RC columns under the risk of shear-critical impacts are developed.

Vulnerability assessment of reinforced concrete columns subjected to vehicular impacts

Columns are one of the key load bearing elements that are highly susceptible to vehicle impacts. The resulting severe damages to columns may leads to failures of the supporting structure that are catastrophic in nature. However, the columns in existing structures are seldom designed for impact due to inadequacies of design guidelines. The impact behaviour of columns designed for gravity loads and actions other than impact is, therefore, of an interest. A comprehensive investigation is conducted on reinforced concrete column with a particular focus on investigating the vulnerability of the exposed columns and to implement mitigation techniques under low to medium velocity car and truck impacts. The investigation is based on non-linear explicit computer simulations of impacted columns followed by a comprehensive validation process. The impact is simulated using force pulses generated from full scale vehicle impact tests. A material model capable of simulating triaxial loading conditions is used in the analyses. Circular columns adequate in capacity for five to twenty story buildings, designed according to Australian standards are considered in the investigation. The crucial parameters associated with the routine column designs and the different load combinations applied at the serviceability stage on the typical columns are considered in detail. Axially loaded columns are examined at the initial stage and the investigation is extended to analyse the impact behaviour under single axis bending and biaxial bending. The impact capacity reduction under varying axial loads is also investigated. Effects of the various load combinations are quantified and residual capacity of the impacted columns based on the status of the damage and mitigation techniques are also presented. In addition, the contribution of the individual parameter to the failure load is scrutinized and analytical equations are developed to identify the critical impulses in terms of the geometrical and material properties of the impacted column. In particular, an innovative technique was developed and introduced to improve the accuracy of the equations where the other techniques are failed due to the shape of the error distribution. Above all, the equations can be used to quantify the critical impulse for three consecutive points (load combinations) located on the interaction diagram for one particular column. Consequently, linear interpolation can be used to quantify the critical impulse for the loading points that are located in-between on the interaction diagram. Having provided a known force and impulse pair for an average impact duration, this method can be extended to assess the vulnerability of columns for a general vehicle population based on an analytical method that can be used to quantify the critical peak forces under different impact durations. Therefore the contribution of this research is not only limited to produce simplified yet rational design guidelines and equations, but also provides a comprehensive solution to quantify the impact capacity while delivering new insight to the scientific community for dealing with impacts.

Behaviour of FRP confined concrete in square columns

A significant amount of research has been conducted on FRP-confined circular columns, but much less is known about rectangular/square columns in which the effectiveness of confinement is much reduced. This paper presents the results of experimental investigations on low strength square concrete columns confined with FRP. Axial compression tests were performed on ten intermediate size columns. The tests results indicate that FRP composites can significantly improve the bearing capacity and ductility of square section reinforced concrete columns with rounded corners. The strength enhancement ratio is greater the lower the concrete strength and also increases with the stiffness of the jacket. The confined concrete behaviour was predicted according to the more accepted theoretical models and compared with experimental results. There are two key parameters which critically influence the fitting of the models: the strain efficiency factor and the effect of confinement in non-circular sections.

Comportamiento de pilares de hormigón armado confinados con materiales compuestos sometidos a compresión centrada

En la actualidad muchas estructuras de hormigón armado necesitan ser reforzadas debido a diversas razones: errores en el proyecto o construcción, deterioro debido a efectos ambientales, cambios de uso o mayores requerimientos en los códigos. Los materiales compuestos, también conocidos como polímeros reforzados con fibras (FRP), están constituidos por fibras continuas de gran resistencia y rigidez embebidas en un material polimérico. Los FRP se utilizan cada vez más en aplicaciones estructurales debido a sus excelentes propiedades (elevadas resistencia y rigidez específicas y resistencia a la corrosión). Una de las aplicaciones más atractivas es el refuerzo de pilares mediante confinamiento para incrementar su resistencia y ductilidad. El confinamiento puede conseguirse pegando capas de FRP envolviendo el pilar en la dirección de los cercos (con las fibras orientadas en dirección perpendicular al eje del elemento). Se han realizado numerosos estudios experimentales en probetas cilíndricas pequeñas confinadas con encamisados de FRP y sometidas a compresión axial, y se han propuesto varios modelos sobre el hormigón confinado con FRP. Es sabido que el confinamiento de pilares de sección no circular es menos eficiente. En una sección circular, el FRP ejerce una presión de confinamiento uniforme sobre todo el perímetro, mientras que en una sección rectangular la acción de confinamiento se concentra en las esquinas. Esta tesis presenta los resultados de una investigación experimental sobre el comportamiento de probetas de hormigón de sección cuadrada confinadas con FRP y sometidas a compresión centrada. Se realizaron un total de 42 ensayos investigándose el comportamiento en las direcciones axial y transversal. Las variables del estudio incluyen: la resistencia del hormigón, el tipo de fibras (vidrio o carbono), la cuantía de refuerzo y el radio de curvatura de las esquinas. Los resultados de los ensayos realizados muestran que el confinamiento con FRP puede mejorar considerablemente la resistencia y ductilidad de pilares de hormigón armado de sección cuadrada con las esquinas redondeadas. La mejora conseguida es mayor en los hormigones de baja resistencia que en los de resistencia media. La deformación de rotura de la camisa de FRP es menor que la que se obtiene en ensayos de tracción normalizados del laminado, y la eficiencia del confinamiento depende en gran medida del radio de redondeo de las esquinas. Los resultados se han comparado con los obtenidos según los modelos teóricos más aceptados. Hay dos parámetros críticos en el ajuste de los modelos: el factor de eficiencia de la deformación y el efecto de confinamiento en secciones no circulares. Nowadays, many existing RC structures are in need of repair and strengthening for several reasons: design or construction errors, deterioration caused by environmental effects, change in use of the structures or revisions of code requirements. Composite materials, also known as fibre reinforced polymers (FRP), are composed of high strength and stiffness continuous fibres embedded in a polymer material. FRP materials are being increasingly used in many structural applications due to their excellent properties (high strength- and stiffness-toweight ratio, good corrosion behaviour). One of the most attractive applications of FRP is the confinement of concrete columns to enhance both strength and ductility. Concrete confinement can be achieved by bonding layers of hoop FRP around the column (fibres oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis). Many experimental studies have been conducted on small-scale plain concrete specimens of circular cross-sections confined with FRP and subjected to pure axial compressive loading, and several design models have been proposed to describe the behaviour of FRP-confined concrete. It is widely accepted that the confinement of non-circular columns is less efficient than the confinement of circular columns. In a circular cross section, the jacket exerts a uniform confining pressure over the entire perimeter. In the case of a rectangular cross section, the confining action is mostly concentrated at the corners. This thesis presents the results of a comprehensive experimental investigation on the behaviour of axially loaded square concrete specimens confined with FRP. A total of 42 compression tests were conducted, and the behaviour of the specimens in the axial and transverse directions were investigated. The parameters considered in this study are: concrete strength, type of fibres (glass or carbon), amount of FRP reinforcement and corner radius of the cross section. The tests results indicate that FRP confinement can enhance considerably the compressive strength and ductility of RC square columns with rounded corners. The enhancement is more pronounced for low- than for normal-strength concrete. The rupture strain of the FRP jacket is lower than the ultimate strain obtained by standard tensile testing of the FRP material, and the confinement efficiency significantly depends on the corner radius. The confined concrete behaviour was predicted according to the more accepted theoretical models and compared with experimental results. There are two key parameters which critically influence the fitting of the models: the strain efficiency factor and the effect of confinement in non-circular sections.

Mechanical behavior of circular and square concrete filled steel tube stub columns under local compression

This paper presents a combined experimental and numerical study on the behaviour of both circular and square concrete-filled steel tube (CFT) stub columns under local compression. Twelve circular and eight square CFT stub columns were tested to study their bearing capacity and the key influential parameters. A 3D finite element model was established for simulation and parametric study to investigate the structural behaviour of the stub columns. The numerical results agreed well with the experimental results. In addition, analytical formulas were proposed to calculate the load bearing capacity of CFT stub columns under local compression.

Reinforced Stone Columns in Weak Deposits – A Laboratory Model Study

This paper investigates the performance of stone columns in a weak deposit such as peat. It evaluates the effects of reinforcing stone columns by jacketing with a tubular wire mesh and bridging reinforcement with a metal rod and a concrete plug. A series of plate loading tests was conducted on isolated stone columns installed in a soil bed consisting of a peat layer sandwiched between two layers of sand. The load–displacement characteristics of footings supported by stone columns were investigated by applying load to a circular plate supported on: (a) untreated soil; (b) soil treated with stone columns; and (c) soil treated with stone columns reinforced with the above reinforcing techniques. The work has shown that the settlement characteristics of the soil can be improved by installing stone columns and that a significant enhancement in the load–settlement response is achieved when the columns are reinforced by the various methods.

Experimental study on Carbon FRP-confined elliptical concrete columns

It is well recognized that the technique of strengthening reinforced concrete (RC) using fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) jackets is more effective for circular sections, but less effective for rectangular sections. Indeed the presence of angular corners does not permit a uniform confinement to be provided by the FRP jackets to the columns. While rounded corners can enhance the effectiveness of FRP confinement, it will be more efficient to modify the rectangular section into an elliptical section. In addition to the better confinement effectiveness, from an aesthetical point of view, the shape modification would be a surprise to the built environment. This paper presents an experimental study on the behavior of FRP-confined concrete columns with elliptical section. Thirty-two short columns, divided in eight batches, were tested under axial compression. Each batch presents four specimens with different elliptical sections, determined by the aspect ratio a/b, that is the ratio between the minor and mayor axis. By varying this value from 1.0 to 2.0 (1.0, 1.3., 1.7, 2.0), the section becomes more and more elliptical starting from a circular shape. In this way it is possible to study the trend of effectiveness of FRP confinement for different section geometries. It is also interesting to study how the confinement effectiveness may vary by changing the cylinder strength of concrete and the number of the layers of CFRP. For this reason, a cylinder strength of concrete of 25 and 45 MPa have been used for the present research work, and half of the specimens were wrapped by one layer of CFRP, while the remaining specimens were wrapped with two layers. A simple analysis of the results has been carried out for evaluating the experimental work described in the present document. Further studies and analysis on this work should help to achieve a new and more accurate stress-strain model for CFRP-confined concrete columns with an elliptical section.