Seismic resistance of post-tensioned bridge column improving post-earthquake recovery

This study aims to improve the recovery of bridge columns after being damaged subjected to an earthquake and also proposes a PC column that reduces residual displacement by prestressing. The proposed column has a repairability of the damaged part of the column by arranging a concrete-filled steel tube at the column core. The seismic performance and post-earthquake recovery of the proposed columns were verified by conducting cyclic loading tests. Test results showed that the residual displacement was not reduced enough to improve the post-earthquake recovery. However, after investigating the column core at the end of the test, almost no visible damage, such as fracture or buckling, was found in the steel tube at the core, which means that the concrete-filled steel tube core itself can support the structure above. Therefore, the proposed system can be repaired quickly after being damaged if the residual displacement can be reduced.