Numerical Simulation and Analysis of Circular Reinforced Concrete Bridge Columns for Investigating the Effect of Seismic Load History on Longitudinal Bar Buckling

This dissertation discusses research work conducted to investigate the seismic load history effect on performance limit states of reinforced concrete bridge columns, and to achieve a design approach to identify strain limits for bar buckling. This dissertation presents the numerical portion of an associated research project at North Carolina State University (NCSU). The experimental work consists of 30 large scale tests on reinforced concrete circular columns which are not conducted by the author.;In well-detailed reinforced concrete structures, reinforcing bar buckling and subsequent bar rupture serve as common failure mechanisms under extreme seismic events. Engineers often use a strain limit state which is associated with bar buckling as the ultimate limit state, but the relationship between the strain demand and resultant bar buckling is not well understood. Past research has indicated large impact of the cyclic loading history on the strain demand to achieve reinforcing bar buckling. On the other hand, sectional analysis is widely implemented by engineers to relate strain to displacement. However, the cyclic load history also has potential impact on the relationship between strain limits and displacement limits. As a result, it is important to study the seismic load history effect on the strain limit state of reinforcing bar buckling and on the relationship between local strain and structural displacement. In addition, Performance-Based Earthquake Engineering (PBEE) strongly depends on an accurate strain limit definition, so a design methodology needs to be developed to identify the strain limit for reinforcing bar buckling including the seismic load history effect.;Two independent finite element methods were utilized to accomplish the goal of this research work. First, fiber-based analysis was utilized which employed the Open System for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (OpenSees). The fiber-based method was selected because of its accuracy in predicting strains and its computational efficiency in performing nonlinear time history analysis (NTHA). The uniaxial material models in fiber-based sections were calibrated with data from material tests. In addition, strain data and force-deformation response from large scale testing assists selection of element types and integration schemes to ensure accuracy. The advanced beam-column elements and material models in OpenSees resulted in a very accurate prediction of strain at local sections as well as global dynamic response of structures. A number of nonlinear time history analyses with 40 earthquake ground motions were conducted to investigate the effect of seismic load history on relationship between structural displacement and strain of extreme fiber bars at the critical section.;The second finite element model was established with solid elements to predict bar buckling. The model included a segment of reinforcing bar and its surrounding elements, such as spiral turns and concrete. This model separates itself from previous bar buckling research by utilizing actual sectional detailing boundary conditions and plastic material models instead of the simplified bar-spring model. The strain history is considered as the demand on this model. A series of strain histories from the experimental tests and fiber-based analyses were applied to the finite element model to study their impacts on the strain limit for reinforcing bar buckling.;Initial analytical investigations have shown significant impact of load history on the strain demand to lead to reinforcing bar buckling in the plastic hinge region. This is also confirmed in the experimental observation which only included a limited number of load histories. The parametric study extended the range of load history types and also studied the effect of reinforcement detailing on bar buckling. On the other hand, analyses with fiber-based models showed that the load history rarely impacts the relationship between local strain and structural displacement. A design approach was developed to include the load history effect on the strain limit state of bar buckling.