Experimental Research And Finite Element Analysis On Seismic Behavior Of Large-Size RCPC

This article is a part of experimental studies to structural performance of mounting structure that mounts the condensator of air cooling system in large-scale thermal power plants, which is in the environmental conditions and working conditions. Hereon, its substructure — Large-Size reinforced concrete pipe column(RCPC) are applied to investigate the seismic behavior through pseudo static test, to obtain reaction indicator and parameter and hold basal mechanical behavior and rule of component under seismic effects, then to theorize seismic design of RCPC, which belongs to mounting structure of air cooling system, and to put forward earthquake resistant constructional measure. All this will offer the basal datum and reference for domestically produced design. Because air cooling equipment of some engineering is building up in our country, parameters of the RCPC specimens are confirmed and specimens are designed to study parameters influence to seismic behavior of components. The test indicates that the seismic behavior of the Large-Size RCPC is preferable under horizontally low-cyclic reversed load, when their axial compression ratio is less than 0.3, stirrup ratio is about 1.66%, thickness-to-radius ratio is 0.1—0.2 reasonably according to the axial compression ratio, and the binders is impacted in the bearing core(0.5 m up plinth of specimens). The expressions may be applied in the design and check computations of RCPC, which belongs to eccentric compression component whose section is ringy in Code for design of concrete structures.The inner mechanism is studied by using nonlinear finite element analysis (FEA) of the RCPC specimens. The influential factors to seismic behavior and the bearing performance of RCPC are analyzed by changing their axial compression ratio, stirrup ratio and thickness-to-radius ratio. The FEA showed that their ultimate loads are influenced more by stirrup ratio and thickness-to-radius ratio than by axial compression ratio when others are same. The FEA results are in good agreement with the test results, indicating the program is applicable to the analysis and design of the similar structure.