Axial Capacity of FRP-Rehabilitated Post-blast RC Bridge Pier: Fid-Bau Portal

Axial Capacity of FRP-Rehabilitated Post-blast RC Bridge Pier

Wu, Hao / Cheng, Yuehua / Ma, Liangliang

Deliberate and unintentional explosions are likely to cause damage to as-built bridge piers. Therefore, it is necessary to take suitable steps to rehabilitate or repair piers that have been damaged to varying degrees. The objective of this chapter is to assess the efficacy of the fiber-reinforced polymer rehabilitation approach on post-blast piers through experimental and numerical analysis. Initially, the researchers performed contact explosion, CFRP rehabilitation, and axial compression testing on 1/2-scale RC pier specimens. The blast test recorded the overpressure-time histories and damage profiles of the specimens, whereas the axial compression test recorded the axial force–displacement curves, strain–time histories of FRP, and the specimens’ damage modes. Additionally, a finite element analysis method is suggested and empirically verified to replicate the interactions between blast waves and piers, as well as the dynamic responses of RC piers under explosions. This method also evaluates the axial compressive behavior of undamaged piers, piers after being subjected to blasts, and piers rehabilitated with FRP materials after blasts. This chapter further investigates the damage patterns caused by explosions and the ability of a prototype bridge pier constructed to withstand seismic activity to withstand axial forces after an explosion. It is advised to use the FRP rehabilitation plan, which includes different kinds, heights, and layers, to restore the axial capabilities of post-blast prototype piers. This is specifically recommended for three typical explosion risks stated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. This chapter can serve as a valuable resource for the repair of RC bridge piers using FRP following explosions.