Static and dynamic performance of RC bridge bents with architectural-flared columns

A study was performed on architectural-flared column bents. The objective was to evaluate the static and dynamic performance of the bents. The unique aspect of the bents is a gap at the top of the flares to separate the flares from contributing structurally. The project concentrated on the effect of the gap width at the top of the column section. Two specimens were tested statically that had been partially tested on a shake table in a previous study. The objective of the static tests was to evaluate the performances of the bents till failure. A newly constructed specimen was tested on shake table to evaluate the performance of the bents with twice the gap that had been used in the previous study. The results were compared with the results of programs like DIANA, RCMC, RC-Shake and wFRAME. The performances of the specimens were compared. Design recommendations were developed.