Seismic Behavior of Self-Centering Precast Segmental Bridge Bents

This paper presents the cyclic behavior of four self-centering bridge bents with different construction details, including external energy dissipaters and neoprene isolation. The columns of these bents consisted of precast posttensioned concrete-filled fiber tubes (PPT-CFFT). A fifth monolithic moment resisting concrete bent was also tested as a reference specimen. The tests showed that PPT-CFFT bents can be used in bridge construction as a lateral load resistance system. The PPT-CFFT bents without external energy dissipaters displayed a lateral drift of approximately 9.2% without experiencing significant damage or residual displacement. The PPT-CFFT specimen with external energy dissipaters reached a drift angle of 9.2% with some damage. The reinforced concrete specimen failed at a drift angle of approximately 6.9% with substantial damage and residual displacement. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE) BE.1943-5592.0000174. (C) 2011 American Society of Civil Engineers.