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An equation for calculating confining reinforcement amount of RC bridge columns, specified in the current bridge design codes, has been made to provide additional load-carrying strength for concentrically loaded columns. The additional load-carrying strength will be equal to or slightly greater than the resistant strength of a column against axial load, which is lost because the cover concrete spalls off. The equation considers concrete compressive strength, yield strength of transverse reinforcement, and the section area ratio as major variables. Among those variables, the section area ratio between the gross section and the core section, varying by cover thickness, is a variable which considers the strength in the compression-controlled region. Therefore, the cross section ratio does not have a large effect in the aspect of ductile behavior of the tension-controlled region, which is governed by bending moment rather than axial force. However, the equation of the design codes for calculating confining reinforcement amount does not directly consider ductile behavior, which is an important factor for the seismic behavior of bridge columns. Consequently, if the size of section is relatively small or if the section area ratio becomes excessively large due to the cover thickness increased for durability, too large an amount of confining reinforcement will be required possibly deteriorating the constructability and economy. Against this backdrop, in this study, comparison and analysis were performed to understand how the cover thickness influences the equation for calculating the amount of confining reinforcement. An equation for calculating the amount of confining reinforcement was also modified for reasonable seismic design and the safety. In addition, appropriateness of the modified equation was examined based on the results of various test results performed at home and abroad.

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