Research and application of precast segmental concrete bridge columns in regions of high seismicity

Precast segmental concrete bridge column construction by reducing on-site construction activities and time has been proven to be an effective method to reduce traffic disruption and environmental impact. However, conventional segmental columns typically have much lower seismic energy dissipation capacity than monolithic columns due to the discontinuity of mild steel reinforcing bars at precast joints. This paper presents a series of research activities designed to investigate methods to improve the seismic behavior of segmental columns for use in regions of high seismicity. The methods include the use of mild steel reinforcing bars continuous across precast joints, the use of cast-in-place plastic hinge regions, and the use of seismic isolations. Results of cyclic tests of large-scale columns demonstrated that the proposed methods can greatly enhance the seismic behavior of segmental columns. The applications of the proposed segmental columns with cast-in-place plastic hinge method and seismic isolation are also presented.