Seismic Assessment of RC Structures Considering Vertical Ground Motion

294 p.Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2008.In the experimental investigation, two SPSD tests were conducted in order to experimentally investigate the effect of vertical ground motion. FHWA Bridge systems selected from the previously completed analysis was used during full hybrid simulations designed to realistically represent the loading experienced by bridge columns during earthquakes. The horizontal ground motion was used as the only input for the first specimen while the second specimen was subjected to combined horizontal and vertical components of ground motion. Inclusion of vertical ground motion significantly increased the axial force variation and at several times induced an axial tension force. Moreover, more severe cracking and damage were observed with significant increase in spiral strains when vertical ground motion was included as an input. Based on the observed axial force levels obtained during the second SPSD test, two cyclic static tests with constant axial tension and compression were performed to study the effect of the axial load level. A brittle shear failure including rupture of the spiral was observed for the test specimen subjected to constant axial compression, while the specimen subjected to moderate tension showed less brittle behavior. Therefore, it has been experimentally and analytically confirmed that the deterioration of shear capacity and failure mode are linked to the axial load level and the vertical component of earthquake motion.U of I OnlyRestricted to the U of I community idenfinitely during batch ingest of legacy ETD