Research on cyclic behavior of precast bridge piers with ECC-socket connections

Precast bridge piers with socket connections (SCPs) have been widely studied and certainly applied in recent years. To reduce the punching failure of socket connections, decrease their construction difficulty, and improve their application in complex environment areas, the embedment depth of SCPs needs to be decreased and the cyclic behavior of SCPs needs to be improved. In this study, engineered cementitious composite (ECC) was firstly introduced to the SCPs, a novel precast bridge piers with ECC-socket connections (SCEs) were proposed. Subsequently, 3D finite element models (FEMs) were established and validated against experimental results. Then, a detailed parametric study was conducted to investigate the cyclic behaviors of SCEs, including the embedment depth, ECC height, axial compression ratio, reinforcement ratio, and concrete compressive strength. Finally, a simplified calculation model was proposed to evaluate the bearing capacity and failure mode of SCEs. The results show that the shear damage of the embedded section is more severe for traditional shallow socket connections. Compared to traditional SCPs, the cyclic behavior of SCEs is better and influenced by ECC height and embedment depth, as well as axial compression ratio, reinforcement ratio, and concrete compressive strength. The simplified calculation model is suitable to evaluate the bearing capacity and failure mode of SCEs. •A novel precast bridge piers with ECC-socket connections (SCEs) were proposed.•A detailed parametric study was conducted to investigate the cyclic behaviors of SCEs.•A suitable simplified calculation model was proposed to evaluate the bearing capacity and failure mode of SCEs.