Étude du comportement de chevauchements d'armatures en traction directe dans du béton fibré ultra performant

Bridges are the most critical component of the transportation network. The severe damage or collapse of several bridges worldwide observed in past earthquakes have shown vulnerability at the base of the bridge piers to strong seismic events. In Canada, reinforced concrete bridge piers built prior to the introduction of the first seismic design provisions in the 1990s often have deficient detailing of the lap splices. These lap splices lack the strength and ductility to withstand major earthquakes. The problem is related to a combination of inadequate splice length and poor confinement due to the spacing of the transverse reinforcement at the base of the bridge pier (immediately above the footing) where large inelastic demands can be expected during seismic events. Bond failure of spliced bars, characterized by splitting cracks within the concrete cover, is one of the commonly observed failure modes.