Experimental investigation on the seismic behavior of TRAC frame column with RCA treated by the silica fume cement paste

Abstract

AbstractThe physical properties of recycled coarse aggregate (RCA) can be strengthened by pre‐soaking them in silica fume cement paste, thereby improving the mechanical properties of recycled concrete. To evaluate whether treated recycled coarse aggregate (TRCA), which is obtained by pre‐soaking in silica fume cement paste, can be applied to structural elements, considering the axial compression ratio and volumetric stirrup ratio, TRCA concrete (TRAC) frame column specimens and natural aggregate concrete (NAC) column specimens were prepared. Subsequently, a cyclic loading test was conducted on the specimens. The failure mode, hysteresis loop, skeleton curve, ductility, and energy dissipation capacity of the specimens were analyzed and compared. The results showed that compared with NAC specimens, the bearing capacities of the TRAC specimens were slightly higher. The seismic behavior of the TRAC frame columns achieved performance level similar to that of the NAC structural members at low axial compression ratios. This indicates that the RCA treatment of pre‐soaking in silica fume cement paste is effective, and TRAC can be used as loading‐bearing structural concrete.