A pre-assembly method of steel reinforcement to improve the constructability of pier coping

This study proposes a pre-assembly method of steel reinforcement for pier coping to improve constructability. In the proposed pre-assembly method, the reinforcement arrangement has been modified to minimize interference between reinforcement while satisfying the current design code requirements. To validate the structural safety of the proposed construction method, half-scale models were tested and analyzed using a nonlinear finite element method. From test and analysis, it was found that the proposed pre-assembly method yields considerable ease of construction, and shows almost the same behavior as that of conventional pier coping.

► A pre-assembly method of steel rebars for pier coping is proposed. ► The structural safety of the pier coping by the proposed method is verified. ► The method will reduce construction period/cost and safety accidents.