Hysteretic behavior investigation of self-centering double-column rocking piers for seismic resilience

Abstract Seismic resilient structures with low structural damage and self-centering behavior after an earthquake are focus issues of current earthquake engineering. Unbonded pretensioned rocking columns offer advantages for accelerated bridge construction in seismic regions, which utilize column-uplifting mechanisms, high strength post-tensioning, and replaceable energy dissipation devices to enhance seismic performance and resilience. The experiment of three 1:3 scale unbonded, post-tensioned rocking bridge bents with different types of external replaceable energy dissipation devices subjected to quasi-static loading protocols, were carried out according to practical engineering demand in high-intensity earthquake regions. An improved analytical model was proposed for predicting the force-displacement relationship of the post-tensioned rocking bridge bent systems considering the neutral axis depth. Minimal physical damage was observed for the post-tensioned rocking bridge bent systems, which exhibit good energy dissipation and self-centering behavior. Especially, the external replaceable buckling-restrained plates dissipaters can be easily replaced if severely damaged subjected to higher than expected ground motions. The satisfactory analytical and experimental comparisons are presented as a validation of the reliability for the high-performance seismic-resistant bridge bent systems and the modelling techniques in this study.