Retrofit of Bridge Bents with the Use of Composite Materials

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In this paper, the Finite Element Model of a typical bridge bent has been created. The 3-D eight-node solid element with the ability of the consideration of concrete cracking in tension and crushing in compression has been employed for the modeling of concrete and the uniaxial tension–compression two-nodes element has been used for the modeling of longitudinal reinforcement. The transverse reinforcement has been included as the concrete element volumetric ratio. For the composite material modeling, the 3-D eight-node laminated element has been used to represent the layers of the material. First, the bridge bent has been modeled in the as-built as well as the retrofitted condition. The numerical analysis results are compared with previously reported experimental results. Good correlations between the numerical and the experimental results have been observed. With the consideration of the observed modes of failure of the composite materials during the experiments, some suggestions have been made here in order to improve the lateral load capacity as well as the ductility of the bent system. This consists of the use of appropriate addition of composite materials in various proposed ways and configurations at the junction of the column to the bent beam connections. Analysis results demonstrated that both the lateral load carrying capacity and ductility of the bridge bent will improve considerably with the aid of the suggested methodology.

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