GFRP bar RC columns under lateral low-velocity impact: an experimental investigation

The performance of GFRP (Glass Fiber polymer) bar RC (Reinforced Concrete) circular columns subjected to lateral impact was experimentally investigated. Sixteen GFRP bar RC column specimens representing offshore bridges were constructed and tested. Laboratory tests were performed considering two types of loading conditions (static monotonic and lateral impact) and two different boundary conditions (cantilever and propped cantilever). For the static tests, the displacement and loading performances were estimated by applying lateral monotonic static load through a hydraulic actuator. For the dynamic impact tests, a steel-made truck with a rigid nose was used to simulate the typical vehicle or vessel collision scenarios. The dynamic lateral impact and displacement responses were detailed evaluated under three different impact velocities (2.25, 3.00, and 4.50 m/s). Moreover, a semi-empirical model based on experimental results was proposed for a performance displacement-based structural assessment and maximum displacement prediction. It is found that GFRP bar RC columns have similar performance compared to traditional steel RC columns under lateral impact loads given the same static capacity.