Theoretical studies and verification on tall RC two-column piers with BRBs: Numerical simulations and shaking table tests

Abstract

This paper derives the theoretical equations to calculate the stiffness, strength, and yield displacement of the tall RC two-column piers with and without BRBs. A structural fuses-based design method was proposed to design the tall RC two-column piers with and without BRBs, and the corresponding scale models were designed and constructed. The numerical simulations and shaking table tests were separately conducted to verify the reasonable of the derivation theoretical equations and proposed design method and validate the effects of BRBs on controlling the seismic response and damage of the tall RC two-column pier. The seismic responses, including displacement and curvature, were discussed when the tall RC two-column piers with and without BRBs were subjected to different seismic waves. These results indicate that the BRB remarkably decreases the displacement and curvature of the column due to the BRBs yielding and dissipating the seismic energy. The seismic damage based on the yield curvature occurs in the tall RC two-column pier without BRBs, while the tall RC two-column pier with BRBs does not experience seismic damage under the design seismic waves with 0.4 g. Therefore, the BRBs can effectively control seismic damage and make the tall RC two-column pier satisfy the performance target according to the structural fuses concept. Also, the tall RC two-column piers with and without BRBs undergo seismic damage under the E2 earthquakes with 0.68 g. However, the curvature responses of the tall RC two-column pier with BRBs are far less than the tall RC two-column pier without BRBs under the E2 earthquakes. Consequently, BRBs can improve the seismic resilience of tall RC two-column piers.