Articles

Cyclic Behavior Simulation of a Novel Corrosion-Free Structural Member Made with UHPC, FRP, and Stainless-Steel Materials

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Abstract

This is an accepted article with a DOI pre-assigned that is not yet published.

There is limited knowledge on the seismic performance of emerging engineering materials for resilient and durable construction to combat with natural disasters and severe weather conditions resulted from climate change. This paper investigates the seismic performance of a novel structural member utilizing Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP), Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC), and stainless steel material under simulated cyclic loading. UHPC is a cementitious composite material with steel fibers that has improved post cracking tensile strength, as well as strong compressive strength that is on par with steel. A novel structural member is first proposed with an FRP shell and a UHPC core reinforced by stainless steel rebars. This innovative construction boosts a significant advantage to resist corrosion as compared to conventional construction materials, such as reinforced concrete. Subsequently, the cyclic behavior of the member is simulated using OpenSees. A column constructed of an FRP shell with conventional reinforced concrete is also analyzed as the control specimen. The results demonstrate that the member with a UHPC core with stainless steel rebars has much better seismic performance in strength, stiffness, and energy dissipation when compared to members with conventional reinforced concrete. A parametric study is finally carried out to investigate different cyclic behaviors based on different material properties and structural configurations. The analytical results exhibit a promising application of the novel structural member for a resilient, durable, and corrosion-free civil infrastructure.

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