Seismic behaviors of PCIC piers-supported bridge structures to spatially varying ground motions

Abstract

Damages to bridge piers were repeatedly observed in many previous strong earthquakes, resulting in disruptions to traffic and impairing the functionality of road network. Extensive studies have been carried out to improve the seismic resistance of bridge piers so as to enhance the seismic performances of bridge structures. In a recent study, an innovative pendulum-type column-in-column (PCIC) system was proposed to reduce seismic induced vibrations of bridge piers. This study extends the previous study on investigating the seismic performances of PCIC piers-supported bridge structures subjected to spatially varying ground motions (SVGMs). Three-dimensional (3D) finite element (FE) models of a typical 5-span continuous bridge supported by the conventional piers and PCIC piers are developed in the ABAQUS software in the present study, and numerical simulations are performed to evaluate the dynamic responses of bridges with conventional and PCIC piers. It is demonstrated that the PCIC piers can effectively mitigate the seismic responses of bridge structures. The SVGMs tend to amplify seismic responses of bridges, therefore need be considered when evaluating the seismic responses of multi-span bridges. The results demonstrate the great potentials of the applications of PCIC piers for seismic-resistant design of bridge structures.