Seismic Performance of Hollow Bridge Columns

Twenty-eight compression tests were carried out on concrete panels to determine the complete stress-strain relationship of the confined concrete in hollow bridge columns. Nine analytical models were used to analyze the test specimens. The test results were compared with the analytical results. Based on the comparison, the Muguruma et al. model was modified to accurately predict the stress-strain relationship of the confined concrete. The seismic performance of hollow bridge columns was further studied by reversed cyclic loading tests. The parameters of the test program were concrete compressive strength, configuration of lateral steel, and spacing of lateral steel. It was found that the modified Muguruma et al. model can be adopted in the moment-curvature analysis to properly predict the horizontal force-displacement relationship of hollow columns with acceptable accuracy.