Seismic Response Analysis of Continuous Beam Bridges with Engineered Cementitious Composite (ECC) in Plastic Hinge Region

Abstract

This study investigates the seismic performance of potential plastic hinge regions in small and medium-sized bridges using Engineered Cementitious Composite (ECC) concrete. A 4×40m continuous beam bridge is used as an example, with time-history analysis conducted using the OpenSees finite element software, and the type of concrete material in the cross-section of the bridge pier’s plastic hinge region is varied to analyze the structural natural vibration characteristics and seismic responses of the bridge structure under earthquake action. The time-history analysis of seismic motion shows that after replacing the bridge pier’s plastic hinge region with ECC, the stiffness of the bridge pier significantly decreases, and the natural vibration period of the bridge increases. Under the action of longitudinal earthquakes, the energy dissipation capacity and seismic performance of the bridge pier increase with the increase in ECC content in the plastic hinge region at the bottom of the bridge pier. Furthermore, under earthquake action, the concrete at the edge of the cross-section using ordinary concrete throughout cracks under tension, while the tensile stress in the cross-sections using different proportions of ECC concrete remains the same and does not crack under tension, remaining elastic under compression, which also reflects the good seismic performance of ECC concrete.