Seismic response of bridge pier-pile cap joints using Eco-SCC and Eco-BFRSCC: an experimental study

In the current study, an effort was made to implement advanced concrete on bridge structures. Bridges have very congested reinforcements, especially in their piers and pile caps. Therefore, Self-compacting concrete (SCC) was selected as the concrete type to be used due to its basic advantageous properties. This study developed an eco-friendly self-compacting concrete (Eco-SCC) using quarry rock dust and incorporated basalt fibre (BF) to enhance its strength. The performance of Eco-SCC and Eco-BFRSCC was investigated through cyclic testing on bridge pier-pile cap joints, evaluating parameters like hysteresis loop, energy dissipation, and ductility. The results show that Eco-BFRSCC exhibits superior seismic resilience, with a 25% increase in load capacity compared to Eco-SCC under both push and pull cycles. Eco-BFRSCC exhibits higher cumulative energy dissipation, with a 14.5% improvement in both push and pull directions, indicating enhanced ductility. The displacement ductility factor study shows a 21% and 47% enhancement in ductility response for Eco-BFRSCC compared to Eco-SCC. Additionally, Eco-BFRSCC exhibits significantly improved resilience, with a 14% enhancement in both push and pull loading cycles. This research provides a quantitative assessment of the optimal concrete for bridge construction, revealing that the developed concrete significantly enhances bridge ductility and load-carrying capacity, resulting in a safer and more resilient structure compared to traditional bridges in seismic-prone areas.