• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.161-171
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• 2020

In this paper, an experimental study was conducted on the compressive behavior of steel tube confined concrete (STCC) and concrete-filled steel tube (CFST) columns with active and passive confinement. To create active confinement in the STCC and CFST specimens, an innovative method was used in this study, in which by applying pressure on the fresh concrete, the steel tube was laterally pretensioned and the concrete core was compressed simultaneously. Of the benefits of this technique are improving the composite column behavior, without the use of additives and without the need for vibration, and achieving high prestressing levels. To achieve lower and higher prestressing levels, short and long term pressures were applied to the specimens, respectively. Nineteen STCC and CFST specimens in three groups of passive, short-term active, and long-term active confinement were subjected to axial compression, and their mechanical properties including the compressive strength, modulus of elasticity and axial strain were evaluated. The results showed that the proposed method of prestressing the STCC columns led to a significant increase in the compressive strength (about 60%), initial modulus of elasticity (about 130%) as well as a significant reduction in the axial strain (about 45%). In the CFST columns, the prestressing led to a considerable increase in the compressive strength, a small effect on the initial and secant modulus of elasticity and an increase in the axial strain (about 55%). Moreover, increased prestressing levels negligibly affected the compressive strength of STCCs and CFSTs but slightly increased the elastic modulus of STCCs and significantly decreased that of CFSTs.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.517-527
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• 2017

In this paper, the effect of active confinement on the compressive behaviour of circular steel tube-confined concrete (STCC) and concrete-filled steel tube (CFST) columns is investigated. In STCC columns the axial load is only applied to the concrete core, while in CFST columns the load is carried by the whole composite section. A new method is introduced to apply confining pressure on fresh concrete by laterally prestressing steel tubes. In order to achieve different prestressing levels, short-term and long-term pressures are applied to the fresh concrete. Three groups of STCC and CFST specimens (passive, S-active and L-active groups) are tested under axial loads. The results including stress-strain relationships of composite column components, secant modulus of elasticity, and volumetric strain are presented and discussed. Based on the elastic-plastic theory, the behaviour of the steel tube is also analyzed during elastic, yielding, and strain hardening stages. The results show that using the proposed prestressing method can considerably improve the compressive behaviour of both STCC and CFST specimens, while increasing the prestressing level has insignificant effects. By applying prestressing, the linear range in the stress-strain curve of STCC specimens increases by almost twice as much, while the improvement is negligible in CFST specimens.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.135-154
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• 2008

This paper presents a nonlinear finite element analysis procedure for the seismic performance assessment of reinforced concrete bridge piers with unbonded reinforcing or prestressing bars. A computer program named RCAHEST (Reinforced Concrete Analysis in Higher Evaluation System Technology) is used to analyze reinforced concrete structures; this program was also used in our study. Tensile, compressive and shear models of cracked concrete and models of reinforcing and prestressing steel were used account for material nonlinearity of reinforced concrete. The smeared crack approach was incorporated. To represent the interaction between unbonded reinforcing or prestressing bar and concrete, an unbonded reinforcing or prestressing bar element based on the finite element method was developed in this study. The proposed numerical method for the seismic performance assessment of reinforced concrete bridge piers with unbonded reinforcing or prestressing bars is verified by comparison of its results with reliable experimental results.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.323-337
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• 2017

This paper presents the results of a comprehensive experimental investigation on the compressive behaviour of steel tube-confined concrete (STCC) stub columns with active and passive confinement. To create active confinement in STCC columns, an innovative technique is used in which steel tube is laterally pre-tensioned while the concrete core is simultaneously pre-compressed by applying pressure on fresh concrete. A total of 135 STCC specimens with active and passive confinement are tested under axial compression load and their compressive strength, ultimate strain capacity, axial and lateral stress-strain curves and failure mode are evaluated. The test variables include concrete compressive strength, outer diameter to wall thickness ratio of steel tube and prestressing level. It is shown that applying active confinement on STCC specimens can considerably improve their mechanical properties. However, applying higher prestressing levels and keeping the applied pressure for a long time do not considerably affect the mechanical properties of actively confined specimens. Based on the results of this study, new empirical equations are proposed to estimate the axial strength and ultimate strain capacity of STCC stub columns with active and passive confinement.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.469-481
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• 2017

This paper aims to analytically investigate the effect of shear stress at the concrete-steel interface on the mechanical behavior of the circular steel tube-confined concrete (STCC) stub columns with active and passive confinement subjected to axial compression. Nonlinear 3D finite element models divided into the four groups, i.e. circumferential-grooved, talc-coated, lubricated, and normal groups, with active and passive confinement were developed. An innovative method was used to simulate the actively-confined specimens, and then, the results of the finite element models were compared with those of the experiments previously conducted by the authors. It was revealed that both the predicted peak compressive strength and stress-strain curves have good agreement with the corresponding values measured for the confined columns. Then, the mechanical properties of the active and passive specimens such as the concrete-steel interaction, longitudinal and hoop stresses of the steel tube, confining pressure applied to the concrete core, and compressive stress-strain curves were analyzed. Furthermore, a parametric study was performed to explore the effects of the concrete compressive strength, steel tube diameter-to-wall thickness ratio, and prestressing level on the compressive behavior of the STCC columns. The results indicate that reducing or removing the interfacial shear stress in the active and passive specimens leads to an increase in the hoop stress and confining pressure, while the longitudinal stress along the steel tube height experiences a decrease. Moreover, prestressing via the presented method is capable of improving the compressive behavior of STCC columns.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.76 no.1
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• pp.67-81
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• 2020

Pretensioned concrete (PC) is widely used in contemporary construction. Bond of prestressing strand is significant for composite-action between the strand and concrete in the transfer and flexural-bond zones of PC members. This study develops a new methodology for quantifying the bond of 18-mm prestressing strand in PC members based on results of a pullout test, the Standard Test for Strand Bond (STSB). The experimental program includes: (a) twenty-four pretensioned concrete beams, using a wide range of concrete compressive strength; and (b) twelve untensioned pullout specimens. By testing beams, the transfer length, flexural-bond length, and development length were all measured. In the STSB, the pullout forces for the strands were measured. Experimental results indicate a significant relationship between the bond of prestressing strand to the code-established design parameters, such as transfer length and development length. However, the code-predictions can be unconservative for the prestressing strands having a low STSB pullout force. Three simplified bond equations are proposed for the design applications of PC members.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.63-79
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• 2012

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the behavior and strength of prestressed concrete deep beams using nonlinear analysis. By using a sophisticated nonlinear finite element analysis program, the accuracy and objectivity of the assessment process can be enhanced. A computer program, the RCAHEST (Reinforced Concrete Analysis in Higher Evaluation System Technology), was used for the analysis of reinforced concrete structures. Tensile, compressive and shear models of cracked concrete and models of reinforcing and prestressing steel were used to account for the material nonlinearity of prestressed concrete. The smeared crack approach was incorporated. A bonded or unbonded prestressing bar element is used based on the finite element method, which can represent the interaction between the prestressing bars and concrete of a prestressed concrete member. The proposed numerical method for the evaluation of behavior and strength of prestressed concrete deep beams is verified by comparing its results with reliable experimental results.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.30 no.3A
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• pp.201-209
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• 2010

Generally, PSC girder bridge uses total gross cross section to resist applied loads unlike reinforced concrete member. Also, it is used as short and middle span (less than 30 m) bridges due to advantages such as ease of design and construction, reduction of cost, and convenience of maintenance. But, due to recent increased public interests for environmental friendly and appearance appealing bridges all over the world, the demands for longer span bridges have been continuously increasing. This trend is shown not only in ordinary long span bridge types such as cable supported bridges but also in PSC girder bridges. In order to meet the increasing demands for new type of long span bridges, PSC hollow box girder with H-type steel as compression reinforcements is developed for bridge with a single span of more than 50 m. The developed PSC girder applies compressive prestressing at H-type compression reinforcements using unbonded PS tendon. The purpose of compressive prestressing is to recover plastic displacement of PSC girder after long term service by releasing the prestressing. The static test composed of 4 different stages in 3-point bending test is performed to verify safety of the bridge. First stage loading is applied until tensile cracks form. Then in second stage, the load is removed and the girder is unloaded. In third stage, after removal of loading, recovery of remaining plastic deformation is verified as the compressive prestressing is removed at H-type reinforcements. Then, in fourth stage, loading is continued until the girder fails. The experimental results showed that the first crack occurs at 1,615 kN with a corresponding displacement of 187.0 mm. The introduction of the additional compressive stress in the lower part of the girder from the removal of unbonded compressive prestressing of the H-type steel showed a capacity improvement of about 60% (7.7 mm) recovery of the residual deformation (18.7 mm) that occurred from load increase. By using prestressed H-type steel as compression reinforcements in the upper part of cross section, repair and rehabilitation of PSC girders are relatively easy, and the cost of maintenance is expected to decrease.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.159-168
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• 2009

In this study, strength, stiffness and confinement effect with stress-strain and stress-volumetric strain curves for improved uniaxial compressive behavior of RC circular columns laterally confined with prestressing aramid fiber strap were experimentally investigated. The test variables were the specimens with or without axial reinforcing bar and the number and spacing of strap, prestressing level, the types of reinforcing fiber (CFS, GFS). As a result, the failure type of the columns was very stable and strength increase rate was about 73% comparison with the general RC columns. Moreover, the strain increase rate is very small and the axial displacement confinement effect was very effective compared with existry methods (CFS, GFS), the initial and final lateral confinement effect was excellent.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.75-82
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• 2021

The objective of this study is to examine the loss of prestressing stress in the developed prestressing reinforcing units using steel bar and pipe (SP). The main parameters were the reinforcing bar type, the magnitude of prestressed force, and prestressing method. The test results showed that the loss of prestressing stress for SP was highest in the initial prestressing step, which was higher for the compression introduction typed specimens than tension introduction typed specimens. The loss of prestressing stress of SP made with P800 was 1.6% for the compression introduction typed specimen with 0.8f_y, which was lowest than the other specimens. Meanwhile, the relaxation of SP with the respect to the time ranged between 0.4 and 1.9%, irrespective of SP material type, the magnitude of prestressed force, and prestressing method. These values were less than 2.5%, which is the maximum value for the relaxation of prestressed reinforcing steel bars in design codes. Consequently, considering the loss of stress developed in the initial prestressing step, the developed SP material type, prestressing introduction method, and magnitude are recommended to be P800, compression introduction type, and 0.8f_y.