Numerical study of precast segment columns with shear keys under vehicle collision

It is commonly understood that precast technology has been rapid development and application due to its short construction period and environmental friendly, etc. Among all precast structure, precast segment column has been widely concerned in the substructure of bridges. The precast segment columns will not only suffer from the earthquake loads but also be subjected to the collision of vehicle and barges. The concrete segments of precast segment column subjected to vehicle collision are prone to slip and even punching failure. In order to enhance the shear resistance between concrete segments, the precast segment column with shear key is designed, and the dynamic performance and shear mechanism under vehicle collision are analysed in this work. The results indicate that the shear key improves the shear capacity between segments and effectively reduces the relative displacement between segments, and makes the deformation mode of precast segment column change from shear type to bending type under vehicle collision. The maximum impact force of precast segment column with shear key is larger than that without shear key. Besides, the shear mechanism of precast segment column is revealed, and the calculation formula of local shear resistance is proposed.