Effect of material uncertainty on the performance of bridge's pier-bent cap joints under cyclic loading

Abstract

The current article deals with an investigational study on the bridge's pier-bent cap assemblies exposed to cyclic loading. In the study, four types of concrete are used—conventional reinforced concrete (CRC), fibre reinforced concrete (FRC), self-compacting concrete (SCC), and fibre reinforced self-compacting concrete (FRSCC)—to investigate the assemblies' behaviour using the concrete materials in the specified structural component. All the bridge element samples (8) are scaled down to one-twenty seventh for experimental purposes and correct performance results. The pier-bent cap subassemblies were exposed to cyclic loading tests to evaluate their crack generation pattern and resistive capability under seismic actions. The results are analysed as hysteresis behaviour, envelope pattern, stiffness behaviour, energy dissipation, and failure pattern. The study's findings are inspiring as the FRSCC outperformed the CRC in all the results along with ultimate strength, displacement ductility factor, and stiffness behaviour with 46%, 71%, and 74% improvements, respectively.