Research on seismic performance and axial compression ratio of rectangular high-strength spiral stirrup confined concrete columns

Replacing traditional stirrups with high-strength rectangular spiral stirrups can improve the seismic performance of reinforced concrete columns. In order to study the seismic performance of high-strength spiral stirrup confined concrete columns, a validated finite element (FE) method was proposed to establish the FE model of reinforced concrete columns. Combined with the measured data of two existing specimens, parameter analysis was conducted on 19 specimens. The axial compression ratio, shear span ratio, stirrup spacing, and stirrup diameter were variable parameters. Based on a reliable model, internal stress analysis was conducted, and the influence of different variables on the seismic performance of reinforced concrete columns was revealed. The FE results suggest that, when the axial compression ratio is not greater than 0.6, the requirement of ductility greater than 3 in the Chinese Standard GB 50011-2010 can be met. The recommended shear span ratio for optimal ductility was around 4.5. The reinforcement ratio of high-strength spiral stirrups ranges from 1.0% to 2.2%. After completing the simulation of nearly 100 specimens (only calculating the ductility coefficient), a matching relationship between the axial compression ratio limit and the shear span ratio was proposed.