Kansas State University. Transportation Center

K-TRAN: KSU-14-4

Tech Report

Kansas

Kansas. Dept. of Transportation. Bureau of Research

The importance of the analysis of circular columns to accurately predict their ultimate confined

capacity under shear-flexure-axial force interaction domain is recognized in light of the extreme load event

imposed by the current American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)

Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) Bridge Construction Specifications (AASHTO, 2014). In this

study, various procedures for computing shear strength are reviewed. Then, the current procedure adopted by

AASHTO LRFD specifications, based on the Simplified Modified Compression Field Theory, is evaluated

for non-prestressed circular concrete bridge piers. This evaluation is benchmarked against experimental data

available in the literature, and against Response 2000 freeware program that depicts interaction diagrams

based on AASHTO (1999) LRFD requirements. Differences in results are discussed and future

improvements are proposed. A new approach is presented to improve the accuracy of AASHTO LRFD

calculations. The main parameters that control the cross section shear strength are discussed based on the

experimental results and comparisons.

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C1972

US Transportation Collection