Seismic damage and assessment model analysis of prestressed segmental bridge columns

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the seismic damage of prestressed segmental bridge columns (PSBCs) and establish a suitable damage model for PSBCs. A framework is proposed to enable the quantitative assessment of the seismic damage fully supported in both experimental and numerical analyses of PSBCs. Building on the new parameters of damage evaluation, the paper then develops an improved damage model that can be used to characterize PSBCs. Although the model is based on the Park-Ang damage model, significant improvements are made to include the residual displacement and cumulative energy dissipation. The numerical simulations of 40 specimens were conducted based on OpenSees platform. Through the statistical analysis of the numerical results, the empirical equation of the combination coefficient was obtained. The proposed model is verified by quasi-static loading tests where damage evolution curves are shown to be in good agreement with the process of damage development in tested PSBCs. It should be mentioned that the results presented in this paper could enable a sounder design of PSBCs for different seismic regions and sets out fundamental reference values for seismic damage characterization in future studies.