Deconstructable support column structures

Abstract

A method of disassembling a support column structure can include de-coupling a plurality of first reinforcing bars from a removable portion, lifting the column portion off the removable portion, and de-coupling a plurality of second reinforcing bars from the removable portion. The first reinforcing bars can coupled to and extend from a column portion and can be spaced from a base portion. The second reinforcing bars can be coupled to and extend from the base portion and can be spaced from the first reinforcing bars and the column portion.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A method of disassembling a support column structure, comprising:
 de-coupling a plurality of first reinforcing bars from a removable portion, wherein the first reinforcing bars are coupled to and extend from a column portion and are spaced from a base portion;   lifting the column portion off the removable portion; and   de-coupling a plurality of second reinforcing bars from the removable portion, wherein the second reinforcing bars are coupled to and extend from the base portion and are spaced from the first reinforcing bars and the column portion.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein de-coupling the first reinforcing bars from the removable portion includes removing first fasteners from first end portions of the first reinforcing bars. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein de-coupling the first reinforcing bars from the removable portion includes withdrawing the first reinforcing bars from first openings in a first plate of the removable portion. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein de-coupling the second reinforcing bars from the removable portion includes removing second fasteners from first end portions of the second reinforcing bars. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein de-coupling the second reinforcing bars from the removable portion includes withdrawing the second reinforcing bars from second openings in the first plate of the removable portion and withdrawing the second reinforcing bars from first openings in a second plate of the removable portion, wherein the first and second plates are spaced by a main body of the removable portion, wherein the first and second openings of the first plate are spaced, and wherein the second openings of the first plate and the first openings in the second plate are aligned. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising lifting the removable portion off the base portion. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein lifting the column portion off the removable portion comprises lifting any structure supported by the support column structure off the removable portion 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the column portion and the base portion comprise reinforced concrete, and the removable portion comprises an engineered cementitious composite having a compressive strength of 5 ksi to 9 ksi and a tensile strain capacity of 3 percent to 7 percent. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the column portion and the base portion comprise reinforced concrete, and the removable portion comprises an elastomeric material. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising de-coupling the second reinforcing bars from a plurality of third reinforcing bars that are secured to the base portion. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising removing a plurality of shims from the second reinforcing bars. 
     
     
         12 . A method of disassembling a support column structure, comprising:
 de-coupling a plurality of first reinforcing bars from a removable portion, wherein the first reinforcing bars are coupled to and extend from a column portion and are spaced from a base portion;   lifting the column portion off the removable portion;   de-coupling a plurality of second reinforcing bars from the removable portion, wherein the second reinforcing bars are coupled to and extend from the base portion and are spaced from the first reinforcing bars and the column portion;   lifting the removable portion off the base portion; and   de-coupling the second reinforcing bars from a plurality of third reinforcing bars that are secured to the base portion.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising removing a plurality of shims from the second reinforcing bars. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the removable portion comprises an engineered cementitious composite having a compressive strength of 5 ksi to 9 ksi and a tensile strain capacity of 3 percent to 7 percent. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the removable portion comprises an elastomeric material. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein de-coupling the first reinforcing bars from the removable portion includes removing nuts from first end portions of the first reinforcing bars. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein de-coupling the second reinforcing bars from the removable portion includes removing nuts from first end portions of the second reinforcing bars. 
     
     
         18 . A method of disassembling a support column structure, comprising:
 de-coupling a plurality of first reinforcing bars from a removable portion by removing a plurality of first nuts from threaded lower end portions of the first reinforcing bars, wherein the first reinforcing bars are coupled to and extend from a column portion and are vertically spaced from a base portion;   lifting the column portion off the removable portion, wherein the removable portion comprises a top plate, a bottom plate, a main body disposed between the top and bottom plates, and a plurality of sleeves extending between the top and bottom plates and through the main body, wherein the top plate includes outer openings axially aligned with the first reinforcing bars and inner openings laterally spaced from the outer openings and axially aligned with the sleeves, wherein the bottom plate comprises openings axially aligned with the inner openings of the top plate and with the sleeves; and   de-coupling a plurality of second reinforcing bars from the removable portion by removing a plurality of second nuts from threaded upper end portions of the second reinforcing bars, wherein the second reinforcing bars are coupled to and extend from the base portion, wherein the second reinforcing bars are vertically spaced from the column portion and axially offset from the first reinforcing bars.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising withdrawing second reinforcing bars from the inner openings of the top plate, the sleeves, and the openings of the bottom plate. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising de-coupling the second reinforcing bars from a plurality of third reinforcing bars that are secured to the base portion by removing the second reinforcing bars from threaded coupling elements.