SEISMIC STRENGTHENING OF RC BRIDGE PIERS USING PRESTRESSED Fe-SMA PLATES: EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION AND PERFORMANCE EVALUATION

Oral Presentation

Paper ID : 1188-ICASGE

¹University of Calgary-Department of Civil Engineering

²Department of Civil Engineering, University of Calgary

This study presents an innovative method for improving the seismic resilience of deficient RC bridge piers using prestressed Iron-based Shape Memory Alloy (Fe-SMA) plates. A novel anchorage technique was developed to overcome common challenges in flexural strengthening with prestressed systems. Two scaled RC columns were tested under combined axial and cyclic lateral loads: one unstrengthened and the other strengthened in flexure with vertical prestressed Fe-SMA plates. Experimental results confirmed the prestressed Fe-SMA strengthening system’s effectiveness in in enhancing the seismic performance of deficient RC bridge piers. The system provided substantial improvements in lateral strength, ductility, energy dissipation, recentering ability, seismic resilience, damage mitigation, with reduced residual displacements and damage compared to the as-built column. Fe-SMA strengthening system proved to be a viable solution for retrofitting seismically deficient RC piers. The Fe-SMA plates effectively confined damage, preserving the concrete core and preventing reinforcement buckling. These findings highlight the potential of Fe-SMA as an advanced solution for seismic retrofitting of RC piers.

Iron-based Shape Memory Alloy; Prestressed; Flexural strengthening; Seismic