The behavior of ultra-high-strength reinforced concrete columns under axial and cyclic lateral loads

In general Ultra High Strength Concrete (UHSC) is a new class of concrete that has been developed in recent decades. UHSC is characterized by extraordinary mechanical and durability properties. The UHSC-Matrix is very brittle material behavior. In this research an experimental program consists of twelve square UHSC columns is being carried out to study the behavior of UHSC columns subjected to constant axial load combined with cyclic lateral loading in order to simulate the case of seismic action. The main parameters of this program were: longitudinal reinforcement ratio, percentage of steel fiber, stirrups ratio, axial load level and concrete compressive strength. In this experimental program each specimen represents a column extending on both sides from the beam-column connection to the location of the point of inflection. Particular attention is paid to the effect of each variable on the strength enhancement, stiffness degradation, energy dissipation capacity, curvature ductility and displacement ductility of the tested columns. Valuable conclusions were obtained from the research results. By increasing the concrete compressive strength the column capacity increases accompanied by a decreasing in the ductility aspects, increasing the longitudinal steel ratio from 2% to (3.6% and 4.5%) leading to an increase in the column capacity and ductility aspect of the tested columns. Using steel fiber between (1.33-2.67)% is recommended in UHSC columns in seismic zones. The Egyptian concrete code of practice limits for the columns stirrups is suitable in seismic zones for columns subjected to a low axial load level.