Abstract
Scour is a leading cause of bridge failures in North America and Europe. To help mitigate this effect, SEAHIVE®, a hollow, hexagonal concrete element with perforations on each face, is offered as a scour mitigation solution by encircling bridge piers and contributing to the reduction of the intensity of erosive vortices around bridge foundation. This study experimentally evaluates the structural performance of SEAHIVE® units reinforced with prestressed glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars. Seven full-scale prestressed SEAHIVE® units with different concrete compressive strength and prestressing levels were tested under four-point bending. Results validate the effects of higher prestressing forces and stronger concrete increased the cracking load and ultimate strength. The specimens were unable to develop their full flexural strength, since all tests exhibited early transitions to shear failure. Analytical evaluation of cracking load was consistent with the observed test results, whereas neglecting the perforations in SEAHIVE® faces resulted in the overestimation of cracking limit.