Search for: All records

While widely adopted prescriptive-based design practices work to limit the probability of complete collapse, relatively little attention and emphasis is placed on the damage levels and functionality of structures after seismic events. High-performance fiber reinforced cementitious composites reinforced with steel (R/HPFRCCs) have been of growing interest for such seismic applications to improve structural level damage and performance. In order to progress the implementation of these materials at the structural level, a systematic approach toward understanding the mechanics of R/HPFRCC columns is warranted. Therefore, in this study, an existing numerical framework for R/HPFRCC beams was extended to the analysis of columns across a range of materials, reinforcement ratios, and axial load levels to evaluate the change in component level response. It was observed that axial load can considerably increase the nominal bending moment capacity of R/HPFRCC columns as well as affect the drift capacity. A shift from failure on the tension side of the element (e.g., reinforcement fracture) to the compression side (e.g., crushing of the HPFRCC) of the numerically tested column occurred between an axial load ratio of 10 and 20%. Lastly, changes in bond stress due to the material level tensile strength were shown to considerably impact the ultimate component drift capacity.