Frp seismic retrofit for insufficient lap-splice: large scale testing of rectangular hollow section bridge piers

Abstract eng:
Failure due to insufficient lap-splices of the longitudinal reinforcement across the critical region of bridge piers took place in several cases during past earthquakes across the world. Longitudinal bars sliding has been proven to be a cause of premature strength degradation often leading to structural collapse. Within the framework of the RELUIS research program, this research tries to lead toward a better understanding of the behavior of the reinforced concrete rectangular hollow section bridge piers with insufficient lap-splice of the longitudinal reinforcement across the critical region. Furthermore an efficient retrofit solution using fiber reinforced polymers (FRP) has been searched trying to identify the most suitable material to be used for the retrofit intervention and thoroughly studying the consequences of the adopted solution. First step of the research work was the implementation of a simple finite element (FE) model to be used for both assessment and retrofit design. Once this model was validated through comparison with some previous test results, a parametric analysis was performed to optimize the retrofit intervention. Once the large scale specimens will be tested, results will give us the opportunity to evaluate the accurateness of the assessment formulae that can be found in literature, to evaluate the accurateness of the developed FE model, to better understand the efficiency of the FRP retrofit in terms of force-displacement and energy dissipation capacity. Quasi-static mono-directional cyclic tests at increasing drift level will be performed on four 1:2 scaled bridge piers with two different levels of axial load, with and without the FRP seismic retrofit. Particular attention will be paid during the realization of the strengthening intervention to avoid violation of the capacity design criteria and to assure proper anchoring of the retrofit material to the pier foundation.

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