Seismic Design and Ductility Evaluation of Thin-Walled Steel Bridge Piers of Box Sections

Abstract

This paper deals with seismic design and ductility evaluation of thin-walled steel bridge piers of box sections supporting highway bridge superstructures. The basic characteristics of the thin-walled steel box section structures are noted. A seismic design method for ultimate strength and ductility evaluation of thin-walled steel bridge piers of box sections is presented. The application of the method is demonstrated by comparing the computed strength and ductility of some bridge piers with test results. The method is applicable to both the design of new, and the retrofitting of existing, thin-walled steel bridge piers of box sections. The effects of some important parameters, such as width-to-thickness ratio, column slenderness ratio, and residual stress, on the ultimate strength and ductility of thin-walled steel bridge piers of box sections are presented and discussed.