Abstract
A novel self-centering prestressed concrete (SCPC) pier with external energy dissipators (EDs) has been recently proposed to minimize the structural damage and residual deformations, and enhance the corrosion-resistant capability. In the SCPC pier with external EDs, internal post-tensioned basalt fiber-reinforced polymer (BFRP) tendons are used to provide the self-centering ability, and the energy dissipation is realized through the external aluminum bars. Previous cyclic load tests of 1/3-scaled specimens showed that the SCPC pier with external EDs had desirable self-centering and energy dissipation capacities. In this study, a three-dimensional finite element (FE) model is developed using the ANSYS software. The FE model can capture the complex behavior of the proposed pier, such as gap opening/closing at the pier-foundation interface, energy dissipation of EDs, and self-centering capacity. Good agreement is observed between the numerical and experimental results, demonstrating the accuracy of the developed FE model. This will enable the parametric studies on the seismic performance of the SCPC pier with external EDs in the future.
Highlights
For the conventional reinforced concrete (RC) bridge piers designed under the capacity design concepts, the columns are likely to yield and behave in a ductile manner to dissipate earthquake energy, so that the collapse of bridge could be avoided
To mitigate the residual deformations of the conventional RC bridge piers, precast concrete piers with unbonded post-tensioned (PT) elements have been developed and studied [2,3], in which rocking behavior is allowed at the pier-foundation interface and notable self-centering capacity can be obtained
If the initial PT force and yielding force of the aluminum bars could be properly combined, the self-centering prestressed concrete (SCPC) pier will return to its original position at event 5, when the pier self-centers upon unloading
Summary
For the conventional reinforced concrete (RC) bridge piers designed under the capacity design concepts, the columns are likely to yield and behave in a ductile manner to dissipate earthquake energy, so that the collapse of bridge could be avoided These piers are anticipated to experience significant structural damage and residual deformations after severe earthquakes, which can result in substantial costs associated with operation disruption of the transportation network and repair of structural damage. To mitigate the residual deformations of the conventional RC bridge piers, precast concrete piers with unbonded post-tensioned (PT) elements have been developed and studied [2,3], in which rocking behavior is allowed at the pier-foundation interface and notable self-centering capacity can be obtained.
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