GFRP bar RC columns under lateral low-velocity impact: an experimental investigation. (December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lai, Dade; Demartino, Cristoforo; Xu, Jinjun; Xu, Jing; Xiao, Yan
• Is Part Of: International journal of impact engineering. Volume 170(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-12
• Subjects: RC columns -- GFRP bar -- Lateral low-velocity impact -- Impact load -- Semi-empirical model; Impact -- Periodicals; Shock (Mechanics) -- Periodicals; Impact -- Périodiques; Choc (Mécanique) -- Périodiques; Impact; Shock (Mechanics); Periodicals; 620.1125
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijimpeng.2022.104365
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0734-743X

Abstract

Highlights: GFRP bar RC columns under lateral low-velocity impact are experimentally tested. Lateral static and impact behavior of cantilever and propped cantilever columns were investigated. A comparison of the static and the lateral impact behavior of GFRP bar RC columns is reported. A semi-empirical equation is proposed to estimate the dynamic response based on the static behavior. GFRP bar RC columns under lateral low-velocity impact have similar performances to traditional steel RC columns. Abstract: The performance of GFRP (Glass Fiber polymer) bar RC (Reinforced Concrete) circular columns subjected to lateral impact was experimentally investigated. Sixteen GFRP bar RC column specimens representing offshore bridges were constructed and tested. Laboratory tests were performed considering two types of loading conditions (static monotonic and lateral impact) and two different boundary conditions (cantilever and propped cantilever). For the static tests, the displacement and loading performances were estimated by applying lateral monotonic static load through a hydraulic actuator. For the dynamic impact tests, a steel-made truck with a rigid nose was used to simulate the typical vehicle or vessel collision scenarios. The dynamic lateral impact and displacement responses were detailed evaluated under three different impact velocities (2.25, 3.00, and 4.50 m/s). Moreover, a semi-empirical model based on experimental results was proposed for a performance displacement-based structural assessment and maximum displacement prediction. It is found that GFRP bar RC columns have similar performance compared to traditional steel RC columns under lateral impact loads given the same static capacity.