Behaviour of a column–bent cap connection for a precast DSCT column

Considerable progress has been made in bridge construction technology with regard to reducing construction times and incorporating green technologies. In the past, the time required to fabricate a tubular pier represented approximately 50% of the total construction time needed to build an entire bridge, and many researchers have therefore shown interest in studying the construction methodology of precast piers. In this work, a column–bent cap joint for a prefabricated double-skinned composite tubular pier was developed and its application was verified through testing. Test methods, including a cyclic eccentric loading test and a static compressive loading test, were developed to evaluate the performance characteristics of the column–bent cap connection. The major parameters were analysed and a standard model for the column–bent cap connection was developed through cyclic and static testing of structural elements.