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School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Ph.D. Thesis Defense Announcement
EXPERIMENTAL AND ANALYTICAL INVESTIGATION OF REINFORCED CONCRETE BRIDGE PIER CAPS WITH AN EXTERNALLY BONDED STAINLESS STEEL SYSTEM
by:
Sung Hu Kim
Advisor:
Dr. Abdul-Hamid Zureick
Committee Members:
Dr. Bruce R. Ellingwood (CEE), Dr. Rafi L. Muhanna (CEE),
Dr. Yang Wang (CEE) and Dr. George Kardomateas (AE)
Date & Time: Friday, October 3rd, 2014, 11:00 a.m.
Location: SEB 122
ABSTRACT
This research is aimed at examining experimentally and analytically the behavior of reinforced concrete bridge pier caps strengthened with externally bonded reinforcement. In the experimental study, nine full-scale reinforced concrete bridge pier caps were built, externally strengthened with stainless steel reinforcement, and ten tested to failure. Load, deflection, and strain measurements were collected and two potential failure mechanisms were identified. In the analytical work, mechanics-based equations were developed for calculating the shear strength of these types of structural elements when a diagonal shear crack is formed under loading. In addition, a combined strut-and-tie/truss model is proposed for determining the strength of reinforced concrete bridge caps with externally bonded reinforcement systems. Results from both experimental and analytical studies were compared and design recommendations are made for future adoption in bridge and building codes and specifications.
