Experimental research on seismic behavior of steel reinforced high-strength concrete short columns

This experimental research presents the seismic performance of steel reinforced high-strength concrete (SRHC) short columns. Eleven SRHC column specimens were tested under simulated earthquake loading conditions, including six short column specimens and five normal column specimens. The parameters studied included the axial load level, stirrup details and shear span ratio. The failure modes, critical region length, energy dissipation capacity and deformation capacity, stiffness and strength degradation and shear displacement of SRHC short columns were analyzed in detail. The effects of the parameters on seismic performance were discussed. The test results showed that SRHC short columns exhibited shear-flexure failure characteristics. The critical region length of SRHC short columns could be taken as the whole column height, regardless of axial load level. In comparison to SRHC normal columns, SRHC short columns had weaker energy dissipation capacity and deformation capacity, and experienced faster stiffness degradation and strength degradation. The decrease in energy dissipation and deformation capacity due to the decreasing shear span ratio was more serious when the axial load level was higher. However, SRHC short columns confined by multiple stirrups might possess good seismic behavior with enough deformation capacity (ultimate drift ratio >= 2.5%), even though a relative large axial load ratio (= 0.38) and relative small structural steel ratio (= 3.58%) were used, and were suitable to be used in tall buildings in earthquake regions.