Seismic performance of hollow high-strength concrete bridge columns

The seismic performance of rectangular hollow bridge columns has been a significant issue with the high-speed rail project in Taiwan, because the ductility of these columns is unknown. To investigate the seismic performance of hollow high-strength concrete bridge columns, six specimens were tested under a constant axial load and a cyclically reversed horizontal load. Based on the results of these tests an analytical model was developed in order to predict the moment-curvature curve of sections and the load-displacement relationship of the bridge columns. The seismic performance of the test specimens are presented in this paper. The test results were compared to both the analytical model and the shear capacity specified in the codes. It was found that the ductility factors of the tested columns range from 3.9 to 4.7, and that the analytical model predicts the load-displacement relationship of such columns with acceptable accuracy.