Nonlinear seismic fragility analysis of a resilient precast post-tensioned segmental bridge pier

Abstract

The use of precast post-tensioned segmental (PPS) piers is growing in bridge industry, particularly in Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC). The PPS piers provides durable, low-maintenance and demountable accelerated bridge construction technique that could be resilient to natural hazards. To expand their application in seismic regions, it is essential to investigate the behaviour of the PPS piers subject to various types of ground motions. Hence, this study focuses on the seismic performance of the PPS piers under pulse-like near-field earthquakes. Two ensembles of 40 pulse-like near-field ground motions and 44 far-field ground motions along with three bridge piers of various heights are used in a series of incremental dynamic analyses. The piers are analysed under the original pulse-like near-field ground motions, their extracted pulse ground motions, and their corresponding non-pulse ground motions, in which the pulse ground motions are subtracted from the original ground motions. It is found that the effect of the pulse ground motion is pronounced, when the pulse period is in close proximity to the natural period of the pier (linear period prior to rocking). However, when the pulse period is far from the natural period of the pier, the effect of the pulse ground motion is negligible, and the non-pulse ground motion is a good representative of the original ground motion. It is also seen that pulse-like near-field and far-field ground motions generally have similar effects on the response of PPS piers.

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ORCID for Mohammad Kashani: orcid.org/0000-0003-0008-0007

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