Stiffness evaluation of UHPC-filled socket column-foundation joints: Numerical investigation and analytical model

Abstract

Socket connections are widely used to connect precast columns to the foundation and the initial stiffness of the socket joints is of great significance for seismic design. The connection efficiency of precast socket column has an important influence on its initial stiffness. Therefore, based on the previous experiment research on socket column by authors’ team, a finite element model (FEM) of ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC)-filled socket precast bridge column-foundation joints was established and verified by the local damages, failure mode and hysteresis curves. The key parameters that influencing the initial stiffness of socket joints were studied by numerical analysis, and a simplified calculation formula of initial stiffness was proposed. In addition, based on the theory of elastic foundation beam, an analysis model for predicting the initial stiffness of socket joints considering rotating stiffness of the connection was developed. The theoretical results are verified by the proposed simplified equations and experiments results in the literature. The method presented in this paper can conveniently predict the initial stiffness of RC socket column-foundation joints with reasonable accuracy.