Abstract：Abstract: The similarities and differences of seismic performance between pre-cast segmental bridge column and cast-in-place bridge column were investigated with an experimental project including five kinds of concrete bridge columns. The existing of prestressing tendon, the construction method, the arrangement and the bonded state of prestressing tendons, and the existing of additional energy-dissipating bars were selected as experimental variables. Through the pseudo static test of the five kinds of concrete bridge columns, the development rule of failure mode, the failure area, the load-displacement hysteretic loops, the opening of the segmental joints, the residual displacement, the distribution of curvature, the energy dissipation ability, the viscous damping ratio, was gained. The experimental results show that the segmental column experiences opening-closing between the segmental interfaces under cyclic loading. The change of curvature is focus on the area of the segmental interfaces. The segmental bridge column has no plastic hinge mechanism at the bottom of the column, as commonly seen in conventional reinforced concrete bridge columns. The addition of energy dissipating bars crossing the joint could delay the gap opening, increase the strength and the hysteretic energy dissipation of the column, which will certainly help resist the earthquake. The residual displacement of segmental bridge columns with bonded or unbonded prestressing tendons is less, and the segmental bridge column with energy-dissipating bars exhibit bigger residual displacement, close to that of cast-in-place bridge column.
2011, Vol. 30 
