Seismic Retrofit of Cast-in-Place Steel Shell Columns to Bent Cap Connections

摘要

Three specimens consisting of a cast-in-place steel shell (CISS) column and a bent cap configured to form a T-connection were built and tested under simulated seismic loads. Representing a typical bridge bent configuration used by the Alaska Department of Transportation, the three specimens used thick steel shell concrete columns and evaluated the adequacy of an upgrade method for direct implementation in the field. Each specimen was retrofitted in the column, bent cap, and its connection according to current seismic design standards. This paper presents the design of the upgrade method for improving the seismic performance of typical bridge bents built in Alaska, and key experimental results.