Numerical and Experimental Study on the Static Performance of Composite T-shaped Piers with Steel Bent Cap and Concrete Column

In order to solve the problems of heavy self-weight and construction difficulties of the cap beam, a new kine of composite T-shaped pier with steel bent cap and concrete column is proposed in this paper, and its connection joint consists of flange and rebars. Finite element analysis and scaled model test are used to study the ultimate bearing capacity and failure mode of the pier. In the test, there was a significant vertical displacement at the end of the right cantilever beam, and local buckling caused by principle stress occurred at the top of webs between transversal partitions and ribs. However, there was no obvious damage to the concrete column and connection joint. According to the measurement program, the transversal strain of plates at the root of cantilever beam is the highest, little bigger than that of the section where local buckling occurs. However, due to the small stiffness of the webs between transversal partitions and ribs and the location below the support, large shear force makes local buckling easier to occur. Moreover, the safety factor of the composite T-shaped pier is approximately 2.8, which can provide reference for the design of similar structures.