Journal of Highway and Transportation Research and Development Vol. 7 ,No.

2(2013 )50

Seismic Design for Bridges with Short Piers In High

Earthquake I ntensity Zones *

LI Xiao-li(*�*U) * * ,SUN Zhi-guo(t/J\�OO) , WANG Dong-sheng(I*3t)

(Institute of Road and Bridge Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian Liaoning 116026, China)

Abstract: Aimed at short bridge piers that are vulnerable to brittle shear failure in high earthquake intensity zones, seismic de­

sign countermeasures for bridges with short piers were put forward in combination with the Guidelines for Seismic Design of
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Highway Bridges OTG/T B02-01-2008). Based on a designed simple two-span pre-stressed concrete T-beam bridge located
in a high earthquake intensity zone, specific schemes and suggestions, including seismic isolation technology, multi-column pier
design, composite short column ( Fiber Reinforced Plastic ( FRP) or steel tube), or high-strength transverse reinforcement,
were proposed, respectively. By using the numerical analysis model for seismic isolation and the multi-column pier design
scheme established by the special finite element softwareMIDAS, the maximum longitudinal and lateral loads of bridge piers and
the pile foundations of different designs under E2 earthquake excitation were compared. It is found that the seismic demand of
short piers and foundations for bridges could be decreased significantly by using a seismic isolation design or a multi-column pier
design suitable for seismic design of bridges with short piers in high earthquake intensity zones, and the mechanical behavior of
short piers and foundations under strong earthquake could be improved. The proposed design schemes could be selected by de­
signers in the seismic concept design stage to improve the seismic performance of bridges with short piers.
Key words: bridge engineering; short pier;MIDAS finite element; seismic design; seismic isolation design; multi-column pier

short pIers should keep an elasticity of under O. 3g

1 Introduction
0.5 g seismic peak ground acceleration for bridges of
In the design of bridges located In mountain area classes A and B considering the importance coefficient in
highways or city interchanges, short pier bridges with the eight-degree earthquake intensity zones, hence seis­
shear span ratio of less than 2.5 ( pier with bent accord­ mic design was up against great difficulties. Taking a
ing to lateral seismic action ) often appear to be restricted simple support girder bridge with short pier in the eight­
by the terrain and the surrounding buildings environ­ degree earthquake intensity zones as an example,seIsmIC
ment. Short piers are vulnerable to brittle shear failure. design countermeasures were proposed based on the ex­
For instance, during the 1994 Northridge earthquake in isting established technique.
the America,seven bridges collapsed,six of which were
2 Seismic design example and problems for bridges
caused by brittle shear failure [1] ; in the 2008 Wenchuan
with short piers
earthquake,serious bending shear failure of the Mianzhu
City Huilan interchange's rigid frame short piers occurred In a certain simple support girder bridge located in
[2 3].
- Related departments promulgated the Guidelines eight-degree earthquake intensity zones ( peak ground ac­
for Seismic Design of Highway Bridge ( JTG/T B20 - 01- celeration of O. 2g),there was site II without liquefaction
2008) (08 Guidelines). Moreover,the ductile anti -seis­ phenomenon.
mic design method and ability protection design principle Superstructures were simple support pre-stressed
were introduced, thereby relatively great progress was concrete T girder bridges with two spans of (40 + 40) m
obtained [4]. The 08 Guidelines stipulate the strength and continuous deck with full length of 86 m. The sub­
needed to be considered in the short pier design, and structure piers consisted of a double column piers and

Manuscript receivedMarch 24, 2012

, Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.51008041); and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Cen­
tral Universities (No.2011QN046)
, , E-mail address: 6156156432@163.com

J. Highway Transp. Res. Dev. (English Ed.) 2013.7:50-55.

 11 Xiao-Ii, et al: Seismic Design for Bridges with Short Piers in High Earthquake Intensity Zones 51

bored pile; body of abutment was pile column type and results. The constraint of transverse seIsmIc stop for a­
foundation was bored pile, which was a friction pile. butment and piers was considered, and the transverse
Figure 1 shows the design diagram of the support girder connection mode between the main beam and the sub­
bridge. structures was hinged. The soil-structure interaction was
analyzed by "m method" ,hence the finite element mod­
8600
4 000+4 000-8 000 el, as shown in figure 2.
EM480 expansion joint EM480 expansion joint
20� � �
r--

Erosion line r r;
I
along the river
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R� -±++ ����-.�-r
wall along�rethe�ta�rIve
i�ni;n;g __
__ ______

0'
0 O�
'"

Fig. 1 Design details of the simple supported

Fig. 2 Finite element model of the originally designed
girder bridge (unit: cm)
simple supported girder bridge
The initial design of the piers of the bridge was The response spectrum analysis under E2 earth­
double column piers with a circular section; the founda­ quake action was considered to be longitudinal and trans­
tion tie beam was located over the riverbed, the section verse, respectively. The load effect combination should
of the piers was 2 m in diameter,and the piers were 2 m be considered in the strength checking: (1) dead load +
high. It was assumed that the transverse inflection point longitudinal seismic load; (2) dead load - longitudinal
of the bent frame was located at the middle of the piers, seismic load; (3) dead load + transverse seismic load;
which were very short, hence the shear span ratio was and (4) dead load - transverse seismic load. The maxi­
approximately A = 0.5. Based on the 08 Guidelines, the mum forces of piers and pile foundation are listed in ta­
elastic response spectrum analysis for this bridge scheme bles 2 and 3, respectively. Overall,the seismic design is
was under E2 earthquake action. controlled by the transverse seismic load, whereas the
The spatial discrete element of the mam beam, shear reinforcement design was up against great difficul­
piers, and bent cap was obtained by MIDAS finite ele­ ties because of the great seismic force. Currently, the
ment software. It is assumed that the sliding rubber bear­ shear strength formula for short piers was not included in
ings located at the abutment were longitudinal sliding, the 08 Guidelines and other related codes for bridges and
transverse,and vertical hinge support,whereas the lami­ culvert. The shear strength formula for piers in the 08
nated rubber bearings located at the top of the piers were Guidelines was based on the assumption that the bending
longitudinal elastic connection, transverse, and vertical plastic hinge was formed at the pier,the design of which
hinge support. The connective components were in an e­ should be kept elastic for short piers; hence,the seismic
lastic state, and no damage lest influence on the analysis design of short piers had no basis for guidelines.
Tab. 1 Internal forces of the bridge columns under longitudinal seismic excitation

Dead load + longitudinal seismic load Dead load -longitudinal seismic load
Positions
Axial force ( kN ) Shear force ( kN ) Moment ( kN . m ) Axial force ( kN ) Shear force ( kN ) Moment ( kN . m )
Pier top -5 556.0 I 265.8 0 -5 556.0 -1 265.8 0
Pier bottom -5 796.3 I 297.6 3 828.2 -5 796.3 -1 297.6 -3 828.2
Pile top -6 107.4 1 343.3 4 994.8 -6 107.4 -1 343.3 -4 994.8
Maximum force of pile -8 055.2 2 257.2 12 335.1 -8 055.2 -2 257.2 -12 335.1

countermeasures for bridges with short piers were pro­

3 Seismic design countermeasures for bridges with
posed based on the above bridge example. E2 earthquake
short piers
action was considered to be in order for better comparison
Some schemes and suggestions of seIsmIc design with the initial scheme.

J. Highway Transp. Res. Dev. (English Ed.) 2013.7:50-55.

 52 Journal of Highway and Transportation Research and Development

Tab. 2 Internal forces of the bridge column under transverse seismic excitation

Dead load + transverse seismic load Dead load -transverse seismic load
Positions
Axial force (kN) Shear force (kN) Moment (kN . m) Axial force (kN) Shear force (kN) Moment (kN . m)

Pier top -2 757.1 3 506.6 10 329.7 -8 354.9 -3 506.6 -10 329.7

Pier bottom -2 988.I 3 616.7 353.4 -8 604.4 -3 616.7 -353.4
Pile top I 956.7 3 802.3 12 544.7 -14 171.5 -3 802.3 -12 544.7
Maximum force of pile I 383.3 3 914.4 10 973.9 -14 780.3 -3 914.4 -10 973.9

3. 1 Using seismic mitigation and isolation scheme The pre-leaving space between the main beam and
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Seismic mitigation and isolation were the technical the transverse stop was usually very small in bridge de­
means to effectively reduce bridge seismic response by signs in the China, and the transverse bridge was closer
the suitable device, which could prolong the structure to the hinge support scheme. Great attention should be
period and deplete the seismic energy. The technique of given to checking the relative displacement and structure
bridge design and the strengthening work applied in mac­ design of the pre-leaving deformation space in the seismic
roseismic areas, including China [5 -6], have become mitigation and isolation scheme for bridges with short
more widely used. A special guidance for bridge seismic pIers.
mitigation and isolation design was proposed in chapter The pier's forces for seismic mitigation design
10 of the 08 Guidelines. scheme by spectrum analysis under E2 earthquake action
The site conditions of the bridge engmeerIng sam­ are listed in tables 3 and 4. The pier's maximum moment
pIe, which used elastic seismic mitigation scheme by (or shear forces) decreased 66% compared with that for
laminated rubber bearing,were well. The laminated rub­ the initial design scheme. The results show that the
ber bearing was designed in such a way that the elastic transverse displacement between the main beam and the
defonnation could occur in transverse, while enough gap transverse stop was 9.6 cm, hence the pre-leaving gap
reservation was put in between the main beam and the was 14.5 cm in the design. In addition,the relative lon­
transverse stop in order to allow deformation. Checking gitudinal displacement in the expansion joint for abut­
the relative displacement between the main beam and the ment was about 12 cm, thus the expansion joint with
transverse stop should be considered, aside from chec­ great displacement was adopted to prevent collision.
king the strength of the short pier. Checking the shear When the scheme of lead rubber bearing with energy dis­
strength was considered; according to the reference[7], sipation and bidirectional seismic isolation was adopted,
the value of displacement ductility ratio was 1, which is the displacement could be further controlled, but time
the Caltrans code [8]. Checking the displacement was history analysis must be conducted.
considered in reference to the earthquake damage in the Short piers in some long-span continuous beams or
Bolu viaduct of the seismic isolation in Turkey; the sug­ rigid frame bridges could also exist. Seismic example de­
gestion that the pre-leaving space be more than 1.5 times sign with hyperboloid spherical isolation bearing and steel
the relative displacement between the main beam and the damper was given in the reference[IO-II], which could
bent cap was proposed under E2 earthquake action[9]. serve as a reference.

Tab. 3 Internal forces of the bridge columns under longitudinal excitation for the seismic isolated bridge

Dead load + longitudinal seismic load Dead load - longitudinal seismic load
Positions
Axial force (kN) Shear force (kN) Moment (kN . m) Axial force (kN) Shear force (kN) Moment (kN . m)

Pier top -5 556.0 1 265.8 0 -5 556.0 -I 265.8 0

Pier bottom -5 796.3 I 297.6 3 828.2 -5 796.3 -1 297.6 -3 828.2
Pile top -6 107.4 I 343.3 4 994.8 -6 107.4 -1 343.3 -4 994.8
Maximum force of pile -8 055.2 2 257.2 12 335.1 -8 055.2 -2 257.5 -12 335.1

J. Highway Transp. Res. Dev. (English Ed.) 2013.7:50-55.

 11 Xiao-Ii, et al: Seismic Design for Bridges with Short Piers in High Earthquake Intensity Zones 53

Tab. 4 Internal forces of the bridge columns under transverse excitation for the seismic isolated bridge

Dead load + transverse seismic load Dead load - transverse seismic load
Positions
Axial force kN( ) Shear force kN ( ) Moment ( kN . m ) (
Axial force kN ) Shear force kN( ) Moment ( kN . m )
Pier top -4 575.4 1 207.5 3,462.9 -6 536.6 -I 207.5 -3 462.9

Pier bollom -4 81 I. 2 1 231. 7 301.0 -6 78 I. 3 -1 231. 7 -301.0

Pile top -3 407.0 1 267.1 4 208.8 -8 807.8 -1267.1 -4 208.8

Maximum force of pile -5 338.6 1,307.5 3 642.1 -10 771.9 -I 307.5 -3 642.1
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3. 2 Using multi-column pier scheme done using the response spectrum method; the results
The scheme of multi-column pier could maintain the from the different schemes were compared based on E2
capacity by increasing the pier number and improve the earthquake action. The bridge was regular, hence its
slenderness ratio by decreasing the pier's section. Short strength design and deformation checking should be con­
pier was eliminated, while the structure ductile deforma­ sidered as El and E2, respectively.
tion ability was increased. It was also favorable to the
bridge seismic by increasing the structure period.
For the bridge example, the pier's diameter of 1.4
m was designed, the section area was invariant, and the
root number was changed to 4. The tie beam was on a
downward shift,and its top surface was flush with erosion
line. The pier was 7 m high,with the shear span ratio of
Fig. 3 Finite element model of the multi-column
2. 5, hence flexural failure and ductile flexure shear fail­ bent bridge
[12l
ure would occur . The diameter of pile foundation was The pier's forces for multi-column pIer design
1.6 m, the root number was changed from 2 to 4, and scheme by spectrum analysis under E2 earthquake action
the length of the pile was 16 m,with the other factors be­ are listed in tables 5 and 6. The pier's maximum moment
ing similar to the initial scheme. ( or shear forces ) decreased 32% compared with that for
Seismic analysis for multi-column pier scheme was the initial design scheme.
Tab.S Internal forces of the multi-column bent bridge under longitudinal seismic excitation

Dead load + longitudinal seismic load Dead load - longitudinal seismic load
Positions
Axial force kN( ) Shear force kN ( ) Moment ( kN . m ) Axial force ( kN ) Shear force ( kN ) Moment ( kN . m )
Pier top -3 006.4 597.4 0 -3 006.4 -597.4 0

Pier bottom -3 28 I . I 615.5 4 820.0 -3 281. I -615.5 -4 820.0

Pile top -3 359.4 849.4 5 308.4 -3 359.4 -849.4 -5 308.4

Maximum force of pile -4 077.0 1 255.4 5 308.4 -4 077.0 -1255.4 -5 308.4

Tab. 6 Internal forces of the multi-column bent bridge under transverse seismic excitation

Dead load + transverse seismic load Dead load - transverse seismic load
Positions
Axial force ( kN ) Shear force ( kN ) Moment ( kN . m ) Axial force ( kN ) Shear force kN( ) Moment ( kN . m )
Pier top -I 361. 7 I 810.8 6 059.6 -6 213.5 -I 810.8 -6 059.6

Pier bottom -1 63 I. 5 1 904.2 6 990.0 -6 504.4 -1904.2 -6 990.0

Pile top 4 667.8 724.8 1 748.3 - I1 386.0 -724.8 -1 748.3

Maximum force of pile 4 670.3 724.8 2 141.6 -12 122.4 -724.8 -2 141.6

3. 3 Suggestion scheme with composite short column gation and isolation could not be used, as restricted by
When there is a need for short pier but seismic miti- site conditions ( e. g.,soft soil,liquefaction ) ,new types

J. Highway Transp. Res. Dev. (English Ed.) 2013.7:50-55.

 54 Journal of Highway and Transportation Research and Development

of structures based on the increase in the short pier's ning of short pier with strong bending shear damage can
ductility were considered to be used as steel tube rein­ be done. The steel tube was added on the outer surface,
forcement concrete column or FRP tube reinforcement while the structural system was changed from rigid frame
concrete column. It was proven in the test that the com­ to hinged system with sliding rubber bearing at the top of
posite short column had good ductile seismic performance the pier; adjuvant transverse top limited radial displace­
[13 - 1 6 J
In addition, the assumption of using high ment between piers and the beam was set. In addition,
strength stirrup to increase the shear ability of short pier pier steel tube was added on the outer surface to increase
and the implementation of related test verification were the ductility of the other rigid frames.
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proposed by domestic and foreign scholars because the

4 Concluding remarks
shear capacity of short pier was closely related to the
strength of stirrup. More attention was given to the seismic problems of
For the bridge example,increasing the pier's ductil­ short piers in the 08 Guidelines (JTG/T B20-o1 -
ity by steel tube, ensuring the pile's seismic ability by 2008) . Based on simple support girder bridges located in
steel tube concrete, and increasing the underwater an­ high earthquake intensity zones, seismic design counter­
ticorrosion ability by the FRP-formed FRP steel tube con­ measures and points for attention of short piers,including
crete composite component were proposed under the con­ seismic mitigation and isolation scheme, multi-column
dition that there is no change in the initial design [17 - 19] pier scheme,and suggestion scheme with composite short
•
In view of this,the composite short pier component column component,were proposed. The proposed design
was not listed in the codes for bridge design,and a spe­ schemes could be selected by designers during the seis­
cial study was carried out using it. mic concept design stage to improve the seismic perform­
3. 4 Comparison of different schemes ance of bridges with short piers.
Generally, two bridge seismic strategies could be
used. The first strategy was the ductile seismic design, References

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J. Highway Transp. Res. Dev. (English Ed.) 2013.7:50-55.