1) Prestressed HPSFRC structural elements; 2) Seismic design of rectangular concrete bridge piers; 3) Advanced nonlinear modelling of concrete structures

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The proposed research program includes three research projects that are in direct continuation of ongoing projects. All of the research projects combine laboratory testing and analytical approaches. (1) Design of prestressed high performance steel fibre reinforced concrete (HPSFRC) structural elements. The main objective of the project is to develop a design methodology and the associated material testing for the structural use of HPSFRC. It follows the philosophy adopted for reinforced SFRC elements as proposed in recent international recommendations. The project addresses the design of prestressed concrete girders in flexure under service loads and at ultimate. (2) Design of rectangular concrete bridge piers. This project is aimed at improving the design specifications for rectangular and wall type bridge piers subjected to bidirectional earthquake components. The potential of reducing the minimum longitudinal reinforcement ratio below the current code specifications was identified in a recent project. Seismic provisions regarding reinforcement detailing for ensuring proper concrete confinement for rectangular cross sections are revisited. The use of high and ultra-high performance SFRC in the plastic hinge region is investigated. (3) Advanced nonlinear modelling of concrete structures. The general objective of the project is to provide research and engineering communities with a robust and validated nonlinear finite element 3D constitutive model for predicting the behaviour in service, and the ultimate strength and failure mechanisms of concrete structures. The research activities focus on developing a reliability framework for the use of nonlinear FE analysis in design. The model is used, developed and validated in parallel with the first two projects.