Issue 50

S. R. Pereira et alii, Frattura ed Integrità Strutturale, 50 (2019) 242-250; DOI: 10.3221/IGF-ESIS.50.20 244 E XPERIMENTAL P ROGRAM n order to estimate the column strength in situations of combined bending and compression, an experimental program was conducted with four columns, with the same geometry and reinforcement ratio, but with different eccentricities. Experimental models were designed with rigid consoles at both ends in order to enable the application of eccentric forces. Each specimen had a total length of 3400 mm, of which 800 mm were reserved to the consoles, as shown in Fig. 1. Figure 1 : Column geometry and dimensions (in mm). Figure 2 : Column positioned for testing. (a) (b) Figure 3 : Test setup: (a) end supported by a reaction block and (b) hydraulic jack in the opposite end. The cross section of the column is hollow along its entire length and its boundaries present recesses and protrusions that ensure tightness on the contact surface with sealing panels, resulting in a complex perimeter, as presented in Fig. 1. I