• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.155-168
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• 1998

In this paper, the structural properties of the existing reinforced concrete(RC) piers are surveyed and the major factors influencing the member strength and deformation capacity are identified. Also a seismic evaluation procedure of RC piers is presented. The factors controlling the member strength are the applied axial load, the reinforcement ratio and yield strength of longitudinal rebar for flexural strength, and the transverse reinforcement for shear strength. Member deformation capacity largely depends on transverse reinforcement ratio and anchor detail, and splice location of longitudinal reinforcement. The above structural detail should be investigated for the detail seismic evaluation of RC piers. The most of existing RC piers have inadequate transverse reinforcement anchor details and the splices of longitudinal reinforcement in the pier bottom where plastic hinges are formed after yielding. Therefore the deformation capacity is not enough for the ductile flexural behavior of the RC piers. The presented evaluation procedure can be used for the rational decisions as to seismic retrofitting of the existing RC piers.