Seismic Performance of Precast Bridge Columns with Socket and Pocket Connections Based on Quasi-Static Cyclic Tests: Experimental and Numerical Study

In this study, four 1/3-scale bridge column specimens were investigated both experimentally and numerically. The specimens consisted of two cast-in-place (CIP) reference columns and two precast columns for the study of socket and pocket connections, respectively. The precast columns were designed based on the actual application of precast urban viaducts in Shanghai, China. Therefore, this study investigated and verified the seismic performance of these connection approaches. Based on the test results of the hysteretic behavior and derived indexes, both columns with socket and pocket connections have shown equivalent seismic performances to their CIP references. The differences between precast and CIP columns were within 15% for all indexes, and the damage development and failure mechanism were also similar. Finite-element models were created with displacement analyser (DIANA) and calibrated with the test data. Bond-slip behavior with the built-in embedded reinforcement element, concrete cracking with tension softening, and material nonlinearity were considered. Under monotonic pushover analysis, the load-displacement curves were in good agreement with the backbone curves of the test results.