Seismic Design and Perfromance of Concrete Multi-Column Bents for Bridges

摘要

In a recent study on bridge tee joints, it was demonstrated that the capbeam/column connections could be efficiently detailed with reduced joint reinforcement using force transfer models. A further reduction to the joint reinforcement and reduced joint damage could be achieved utilizing prestressing in the cap beam. Three large-scale tee joints were designed with varying amounts of prestressing and tested under simulated seismic loading. All three units performed satisfactorily despite requiring considerably less joint reinforcement than that required by the conventional design methods based on the maximum joint shear forces, which often result in steel congestion within the joints.