On the use of entangled wire materials in pre-tensioned rocking columns

This research explores potential application of entangled wire materials as intermediate layers between segments of pre-tensioned segmental bridge columns. An ensemble of free-decay vibration tests was conducted on small-scale columns with various configurations of intermediate layers. Wooden blocks were used for segments and the entire system was tightened together using a pre-tensioned steel tendon. Damping and frequency of the columns were determined and compared. It is demonstrated that entangled wire materials substantially increase total damping of the entire system in rocking. This result is very encouraging for future application of entangled wire materials in testing large-scale pre-tensioned segmental bridge columns. However, shear and axial stiffness of the layers require further improvement to reduce their large shear and axial deformations.