Introduction The predominant characteristics of high-altitude climates include low air pressure,low humidity,and large diurnal temperature fluctuations.In practical engineering scenarios in high-altitude regions,many ...Introduction The predominant characteristics of high-altitude climates include low air pressure,low humidity,and large diurnal temperature fluctuations.In practical engineering scenarios in high-altitude regions,many pier surface cracks only appear several months after erection,and cyclic thermal stress is identified as the main trigger for such cracking.The thermal stress in concrete structures has been investigated for decades but remains incompletely understood.Structural engineers typically regard concrete as an isotropic material and calculate the thermal stress using code-specified coefficients of thermal expansion(CTEs)along with temperature conditions and constraints.Because the CTE of hardened cement paste is more than twice that of many aggregates,reducing the CTE of coarse aggregates can further exacerbate the thermal deformation incompatibility between the coarse aggregate and mortar matrix.In this paper,a comprehensive thermal-elastic mechanics model for pier concrete was developed to analysis the temperature-induced surface stress.Methods A series of mechanical and thermophysical tests were conducted on the diorite aggregate,ITZ cement paste,and mortar,and concrete.A test pier was constructed on open ground near the Yarlung Zangbo River at an altitude of 3800 m.The pier had a diameter of 1.8 m and height of 2 m.Temperature sensors were embedded in the cross-section at a height of 1 m,positioned along the southnorth and east-west directions.The embedding depths(distances from the pier surface)were 0,1.5,3,4.5,6,7.5,9,12,15,20,25,30,35,40,50,60,70,80 cm,and 90 cm.A model of the bridge pier concrete for surface-level analysis was constructed.The model consists of a concrete unit formed as a sphere-shell-shell composite,including the aggregate,ITZ,and mortar layers,embedded in the surface layer of a bridge pier.Outside this unit,the pier concrete was treated as an isotropic,homogeneous elastic material.The real-time internal temperature fields of high-altitude concrete bridge piers,measured on-site,were incorporated into the model.By applying thermoelastic mechanics theory and finite element solutions for plane strain problems,the three-dimensional thermal stresses on the surface layer of high-altitude bridge piers were analyzed Results and discussion During the experimental period,the lowest and highest temperatures on the bridge pier in the high-altitude region were 9.6 ℃ and 42.6 ℃,respectively.These occurred before sunrise and sunset on sunny days,respectively,corresponding to the local maximum temperature gradients during the surface heating and cooling stages,as well as the maximum temperature difference between the surface and center during these stages.The thermal stress on the pier concrete surface was obtained by superimposing the stresses caused by the uneven distribution of the internal temperature field and those caused by the incompatible thermal deformation among the different components in the surface concrete Before the erection of the upper structures,the absolute values of the tangential and vertical stresses were the same;therefore,only one curve was observed.From 22:00 to 8:00,the pier concrete surface was in tension,whereas from 11:00 to 22:00,the pier concrete surface was in compression.The surface of the pier concrete was subjected to biaxial forces of equal magnitude with a maximum compressive stress of 12.52 MPa and maximum tensile stress of 2.15 MPa,respectively at 18:00 and 8:00.According to the fatigue equation,the concrete was predicted to crack after 21 d of temperature cycling.Moreover,if humidity-induced stress is added on top of this,the tensile stress may approach or even exceed the concrete's tensile strength,thereby posing a significant risk of cracking.After the erection of upper structures,the tangential and vertical stresses no longer coincide because the upper structures have been erected.The curve of the tangential stress is unchanged,whereas the curve of the vertical stress is translated downwards by 1.57 MPa due to the structural deadweight.Therefore,the maximum tangential compressive stress remained 12.52 MPa,whereas the maximum vertical compressive stress increased to 14.09 MPa.Additionally,the maximum tangential tensile stress was 2.15 MPa,and the maximum vertical tensile stress was 0.58 MPa.According to Appendix C of GB/T 50010 and the fatigue equation,stresses are unlikely to cause cracking of the pier concrete surface.Although a higher CTE of the coarse aggregate slightly increased the maximum compressive stress,the differences among the three groups of concrete were minimal and could be ignored.Specifically,the maximum compressive stresses on the pier concrete surface were 12.54,12.45 MPa,and 12.56 MPa when using diorite,limestone,and basalt,respectively.By contrast,a lower CTE of the coarse aggregate results in a greater maximum tensile stress on the pier concrete surface.For example,when using limestone,which has a low CTE,the maximum tensile stress on the pier concrete surface is 2.28 MPa,compared to 2.17 MPa when using diorite and 2.14 MPa when using basalt.The finite element simulation results indicated that the maximum compressive stress on the pier concrete surface was 11.72 MPa,whereas the maximum tensile stress was 2.10 MPa.These results are approximately consistent with the theoretical calculations.This consistency provides mutual verification.Conclusions Surface cracking in pier concrete occurs predominantly before the erection of upper structures.Under sunny conditions,the orthogonal decomposition of the superficial stress revealed that the maximum compressive stress during the day was approximately 12.52 MPa,whereas the maximum tensile stress was approximately 2.15 MPa.This tensile stress approached the tensile strength of the C35 concrete under biaxial tension.The risk of cracking increased significantly when humidity-induced stress was considered.After the erection of upper structures,the maximum tangential tensile stress on the pier surface remained at 2.15 MPa while the maximum vertical stress decreased to 0.58 MPa,both of which are well below the tensile strength of C35 concrete under biaxial tension.Although the use of coarse aggregates with a lower coefficient of thermal expansion reduced the tensile stress induced by temperature gradients,it increased the stress owing to material deformation incompatibility,leading to a slight increase in the maximum tensile stress on the pier concrete surface.展开更多
Scour around bridge pier foundations is a complex phenomenon that can threaten structural stability.Accurate prediction of scour depth around compound piers remains challenging for bridge engineers.This study investig...Scour around bridge pier foundations is a complex phenomenon that can threaten structural stability.Accurate prediction of scour depth around compound piers remains challenging for bridge engineers.This study investigated the effect of foundation elevation on scour around compound piers and developed reliable scour depth prediction models for economical foundation design.Experiments were conducted under clear-water conditions using two circular piers:(1)a uniform pier(with a diameter of D)and(2)a compound pier consisting of a uniform pier resting on a circular foundation(with a foundation diameter(D_(f))of 2D)positioned at various elevations(Z)relative to the channel bed.Results showed that foundation elevation significantly affected scour depth.Foundations at or below the bed(Z/D≥0)reduced scour,while those projecting into the flow field(Z/D<0)increased scour.The optimal foundation elevation was found to be 0.1D below the bed level,yielding a 57%reduction in scour depth compared to the uniform pier due to its shielding effect against downflow and horseshoe vortices.In addition,regression,artificial neural network(ANN),and M5 model tree models were developed using experimental data from this and previous studies.The M5 model outperformed the traditional HEC-18 equation,regression,and ANN models,with a coefficient of determination greater than 0.85.Sensitivity analysis indicated that flow depth,foundation elevation,and diameter significantly influenced scour depth prediction,whereas sediment size had a lesser impact.展开更多
Aiming at the problems of difficulty in balancing construction efficiency and quality,as well as the high safety risks of working at heights during the construction of main piers for highway bridges,this study takes a...Aiming at the problems of difficulty in balancing construction efficiency and quality,as well as the high safety risks of working at heights during the construction of main piers for highway bridges,this study takes a specific bridge project as an example to introduce the technology of hydraulically sliding formwork for the construction of main piers of highway bridges.An in-depth analysis of the project’s construction process found that this technology can effectively improve construction efficiency,ensure the quality of concrete pouring,and significantly reduce the potential safety hazards of working at heights.It provides a reliable technical solution for constructing the main piers of highway bridges and has important reference significance for similar projects.展开更多
Bridge pier failures from granular flow impacts are common.Installing defense piles upstream is an effective mitigation strategy,yet their protective mechanisms and standardized design guidelines are unclear.This stud...Bridge pier failures from granular flow impacts are common.Installing defense piles upstream is an effective mitigation strategy,yet their protective mechanisms and standardized design guidelines are unclear.This study employed 3D discrete element method to analyze the influence of defense pile size and placement on its performance across 219 scenarios,providing a detailed examination of their protective mechanisms.Results show that optimizing these factors can reduce the maximum impact force on bridge piers by up to 94%.In terms of size,a critical height threshold is identified,beyond which increasing pile height does not enhance protection.This threshold depends on the movement height of granular particles at the slope base.Protection effectiveness varies with pile size:when H≤0.05 h(H is the height of defense piles,h is the height of bridge),protection marginally improves with increasing height and diameter;for 0.05 h<H<0.15 h,protection strongly correlates with both parameters;for H≥0.15 h,diameter becomes the dominant factor.In terms of placement,an optimal longitudinal distance exists between the defense pile and the bridge pier.The larger the diameter,the greater the optimal longitudinal distance.However,the transverse distance is inversely related to protection effectiveness.Mechanistic analysis shows that defense piles are more effective at redirecting particles to prevent direct collisions with the pier(contributing 100%impact energy reduction before the non-dimensional travel time t*=7.01 and 63%–100%afterward)than at reducing particle velocity.This study provides insights into the protective mechanisms of defense piles and informs strategies for optimizing bridge pier protection in granular flow-prone regions.展开更多
In this study,the flow characteristics around a group of three piers arranged in tandem were investigated both numerically and experimentally.The simulation utilised the volume of fluid(VOF)model in conjunction with t...In this study,the flow characteristics around a group of three piers arranged in tandem were investigated both numerically and experimentally.The simulation utilised the volume of fluid(VOF)model in conjunction with the k–ɛmethod(i.e.,for flow turbulence representations),implemented through the ANSYS FLUENT software,to model the free-surface flow.The simulation results were validated against laboratory measurements obtained using an acoustic Doppler velocimeter.The comparative analysis revealed discrepancies between the simulated and measured maximum velocities within the investigated flow field.However,the numerical results demonstrated a distinct vortex-induced flow pattern following the first pier and throughout the vicinity of the entire pier group,which aligned reasonably well with experimental data.In the heavily narrowed spaces between the piers,simulated velocity profiles were overestimated in the free-surface region and underestimated in the areas near the bed to the mid-stream when compared to measurements.These discrepancies diminished away from the regions with intense vortices,indicating that the employed model was capable of simulating relatively less disturbed flow turbulence.Furthermore,velocity results from both simulations and measurements were compared based on velocity distributions at three different depth ratios(0.15,0.40,and 0.62)to assess vortex characteristic around the piers.This comparison revealed consistent results between experimental and simulated data.This research contributes to a deeper understanding of flow dynamics around complex interactive pier systems,which is critical for designing stable and sustainable hydraulic structures.Furthermore,the insights gained from this study provide valuable information for engineers aiming to develop effective strategies for controlling scour and minimizing destructive vortex effects,thereby guiding the design and maintenance of sustainable infrastructure.展开更多
This article provides an overview of the current development status of prestressed segmental precast and assembled piers,Emphasis was placed on analyzing the stress characteristics of bridge piers under impact.The con...This article provides an overview of the current development status of prestressed segmental precast and assembled piers,Emphasis was placed on analyzing the stress characteristics of bridge piers under impact.The concept of recoverable functional design and its application prospects were elaborated,and finally,the research on the impact resistance performance of prestressed segmental precast and assembled pierswas discussed.Research has shown that optimizing design and material selection can effectively enhance the impact resistance and structural durability of bridge piers.At the same time,the introduction of the concept of recoverable functionality provides new ideas for the rapid repair and functional recovery of bridge piers,which helps to improve the recovery efficiency of bridges after extreme events.Future research should focus on the evaluation methods of impact resistance performance,new connection technologies,in-depth application of recoverable functional design,a combination of impact simulation experiments and numerical analysis,and exploration of comprehensive disaster prevention and reduction strategies.These research results will also promote the further development and innovation of prefabricated assembly technology in bridge engineering,bringing new ideas and methods to the field of engineering construction.展开更多
To mitigate the challenges in managing the damage level of reinforced concrete(RC)pier columns subjected to cyclic reverse loading,this study conducted a series of cyclic reverse tests on RC pier columns.By analyzing ...To mitigate the challenges in managing the damage level of reinforced concrete(RC)pier columns subjected to cyclic reverse loading,this study conducted a series of cyclic reverse tests on RC pier columns.By analyzing the outcomes of destructive testing on various specimens and fine-tuning the results with the aid of the IMK(Ibarra Medina Krawinkler)recovery model,the energy dissipation capacity coefficient of the pier columns were able to be determined.Furthermore,utilizing the calibrated damage model parameters,the damage index for each specimen were calculated.Based on the obtained damage levels,three distinct pre-damage conditions were designed for the pier columns:minor damage,moderate damage,and severe damage.The study then predicted the variations in hysteresis curves and damage indices under cyclic loading conditions.The experimental findings reveal that the displacement at the top of the pier columns can serve as a reliable indicator for controlling the damage level of pier columns post-loading.Moreover,the calibrated damage index model exhibits proficiency in accurately predicting the damage level of RC pier columns under cyclic loading.展开更多
In bridge engineering,monitoring pier offsets is crucial for ensuring both structural safety and construction quality.The total station measurement method using a reflector is widely employed,offering significant adva...In bridge engineering,monitoring pier offsets is crucial for ensuring both structural safety and construction quality.The total station measurement method using a reflector is widely employed,offering significant advantages in specific scenarios.During measurements,errors are influenced by various factors.Initially,misalignment causes the lateral relative error to increase before decreasing,while longitudinal relative errors fluctuate due to instrument characteristics and operational factors.Lateral movements have a more pronounced impact on these errors.Investigating the positioning layout of pier offsets holds substantial importance as it enables precise displacement monitoring,prevents accidents,aids in maintenance planning,provides valuable references for design and construction,and enhances the pier’s resistance to deflection.Controlling and correcting subsequent errors is essential to ensure the overall safety of the bridge structure.展开更多
Here,a seismic-response analysis model was proposed for evaluating the nonlinear seismic response of a pile-supported bridge pier under frozen and thawed soil conditions.The effect of a seasonally frozen soil layer on...Here,a seismic-response analysis model was proposed for evaluating the nonlinear seismic response of a pile-supported bridge pier under frozen and thawed soil conditions.The effect of a seasonally frozen soil layer on the seismic vulnerability of a pile-supported bridge pier was evaluated based on reliability theory.Although the frozen soil layer inhibited the seismic response of the ground surface to a certain extent,it exacerbated the acceleration response at the bridge pier top owing to the low radiation damping effect of the frozen soil layer.Furthermore,the frozen soil layer reduced the lateral displacement of the bridge pier top relative to the ground surface by approximately 80%,thereby preventing damage caused by earthquakes,such as falling girders.Compared to the thawed state of the ground surface,the bending moment of the bridge pier in frozen ground increases.However,the bending moment of the pile foundation in frozen ground decreases,thereby lessening the seismic vulnerability of the bridge pile foundation.The results of this can provide a reference for the seismic response analysis and seismic risk assessment of pile-supported bridges in seasonally frozen regions.展开更多
To address local concrete damage in joint areas at the footing of prefabricated assembled self-centering bridge piers(PASPs)in seismic design,a damage transfer configuration(DTC)was proposed,based on the bridge pier s...To address local concrete damage in joint areas at the footing of prefabricated assembled self-centering bridge piers(PASPs)in seismic design,a damage transfer configuration(DTC)was proposed,based on the bridge pier structure configuration and the mechanism of local damage formation.Integrating the DTC into the PASP,numerical models of a previous experimental reference PASP and a PASP with damage transfer configuration(DTPASP)were established using the finite element software ABAQUS with a concrete damage plasticity(CDP)model.The models were then compared with experimental results regarding damage distribution,hysteresis curves,energy dissipation capacity,the joint opening degree,and residual displacement.The findings indicate that the finite element model developed in this study can well reflect the experimental results of the reference PASP.The incorporation of the DTC proved to be beneficial in preserving structural integrity,bearing capacity,and the functionality of the core structure of bridge piers following an earthquake.Meanwhile,this addition did not exert a significant influence on the seismic behavior of the core structure of the bridge pier.展开更多
A novel seismic design method, namely split-pier seismic design, is proposed. A vertical gap and connect elements are set in split-piers. The lateral stiffness of piers is reduced by cracking of the connect elements u...A novel seismic design method, namely split-pier seismic design, is proposed. A vertical gap and connect elements are set in split-piers. The lateral stiffness of piers is reduced by cracking of the connect elements under severe earthquake, and the seismic response of bridges is reduced by avoiding the site predominant periods. A model of tied-arch rigid frame bridge with split-piers was designed. Seismic performance was investigated by pseudo-static experimentation on the scale model, The failure process of split-piers, the hysteresis characteristic and the effect of split-piers on the superstructure are presented. Results show that the split-pier has better seismic performance than common ductile piers do.展开更多
The equations of the lateral deflection curve of the short pier shear wall under a lateral concentrated load at any level are derived by employing a continuous approach. Lateral flexibility matrixes for the dynamic an...The equations of the lateral deflection curve of the short pier shear wall under a lateral concentrated load at any level are derived by employing a continuous approach. Lateral flexibility matrixes for the dynamic analysis are also obtained by repeatedly calculating the lateral unit load on the wall at each level where a lumped mass located. Dynamic analyses are implemented for short pier shear walls with different parameters, called the integrative coefficient and the pier strength coefficient related to the dimensions of walls. The influences of two coefficients on the dynamic performances of the structure are studied. Results indicate that with the increase of the integrative coefficient, the periods of top two modes apparently decrease but the other periods of higher frequency modes show little variation when the pier strength coefficient remains constant. Similarly, if the integrative coefficient is constant, the top two periods of the free vibration decrease with the increase of the integrative coefficient but the other periods of higher frequency modes show less variation.展开更多
To study the seismic performance of double-skin steelconcrete composite box（ DSCB） piers, a total of 11 DSCB pier specimens were tested under bidirectional cyclic loading. The effects of the loading pattern, the ste...To study the seismic performance of double-skin steelconcrete composite box（ DSCB） piers, a total of 11 DSCB pier specimens were tested under bidirectional cyclic loading. The effects of the loading pattern, the steel plate thickness, the axial load ratio, the slenderness ratio and the aspect ratio were taken into consideration. The damage evolution process and failure modes of the tested specimens are presented in detail. Test results are also discussed in terms of the hysteretic curve, skeleton curve, ductility and energy dissipation capacity of DSCB pier specimens. It can be concluded that the hysteretic performance of DSCB piers in one direction is affected and weakened by the cyclic loading in the other direction. DSCB piers under bidirectional cyclic loading exhibit good performance in terms of load carrying capacity, ductility, and energy dissipation capacity. Overall, DSCB piers can meet the basic aseismic requirements. The research results can be taken as a reference for using DSCB piers as high piers in bridges in strong earthquakeprone areas.展开更多
An accurate finite element （ FE） model was constructed to examine the hysteretic behavior of double-skin steel-concrete composite box （ DSCB） piers for further understanding the seismic performance of DSCB piers;...An accurate finite element （ FE） model was constructed to examine the hysteretic behavior of double-skin steel-concrete composite box （ DSCB） piers for further understanding the seismic performance of DSCB piers; where the local buckling behavior of steel tubes, the confinement of the in-filled concrete and the interface action between steel tube and in-filled concrete were considered. The accuracy of the proposed FE model was verified by the bidirectional cyclic loading test results. Based on the validated FE model, the effects of some key parameters, such as section width to steel thickness ratio, slenderness ratio, aspect ratio and axial load ratio on the hysteretic behavior of DSCB piers were investigated. Finally, the skeleton curve model of DSCB piers was proposed. The numerical simulation results reveal that the peak strength and elastic stiffness decrease with the increase of the section width to steel thickness ratio. Moreover, the increase of the slenderness ratio may result in a significant reduction in the peak strength and elastic stiffness while the ultimate displacement increases. The proposed skeleton curve model can be taken as a reference for seismic performance analyses of the DSCB piers.展开更多
文摘Introduction The predominant characteristics of high-altitude climates include low air pressure,low humidity,and large diurnal temperature fluctuations.In practical engineering scenarios in high-altitude regions,many pier surface cracks only appear several months after erection,and cyclic thermal stress is identified as the main trigger for such cracking.The thermal stress in concrete structures has been investigated for decades but remains incompletely understood.Structural engineers typically regard concrete as an isotropic material and calculate the thermal stress using code-specified coefficients of thermal expansion(CTEs)along with temperature conditions and constraints.Because the CTE of hardened cement paste is more than twice that of many aggregates,reducing the CTE of coarse aggregates can further exacerbate the thermal deformation incompatibility between the coarse aggregate and mortar matrix.In this paper,a comprehensive thermal-elastic mechanics model for pier concrete was developed to analysis the temperature-induced surface stress.Methods A series of mechanical and thermophysical tests were conducted on the diorite aggregate,ITZ cement paste,and mortar,and concrete.A test pier was constructed on open ground near the Yarlung Zangbo River at an altitude of 3800 m.The pier had a diameter of 1.8 m and height of 2 m.Temperature sensors were embedded in the cross-section at a height of 1 m,positioned along the southnorth and east-west directions.The embedding depths(distances from the pier surface)were 0,1.5,3,4.5,6,7.5,9,12,15,20,25,30,35,40,50,60,70,80 cm,and 90 cm.A model of the bridge pier concrete for surface-level analysis was constructed.The model consists of a concrete unit formed as a sphere-shell-shell composite,including the aggregate,ITZ,and mortar layers,embedded in the surface layer of a bridge pier.Outside this unit,the pier concrete was treated as an isotropic,homogeneous elastic material.The real-time internal temperature fields of high-altitude concrete bridge piers,measured on-site,were incorporated into the model.By applying thermoelastic mechanics theory and finite element solutions for plane strain problems,the three-dimensional thermal stresses on the surface layer of high-altitude bridge piers were analyzed Results and discussion During the experimental period,the lowest and highest temperatures on the bridge pier in the high-altitude region were 9.6 ℃ and 42.6 ℃,respectively.These occurred before sunrise and sunset on sunny days,respectively,corresponding to the local maximum temperature gradients during the surface heating and cooling stages,as well as the maximum temperature difference between the surface and center during these stages.The thermal stress on the pier concrete surface was obtained by superimposing the stresses caused by the uneven distribution of the internal temperature field and those caused by the incompatible thermal deformation among the different components in the surface concrete Before the erection of the upper structures,the absolute values of the tangential and vertical stresses were the same;therefore,only one curve was observed.From 22:00 to 8:00,the pier concrete surface was in tension,whereas from 11:00 to 22:00,the pier concrete surface was in compression.The surface of the pier concrete was subjected to biaxial forces of equal magnitude with a maximum compressive stress of 12.52 MPa and maximum tensile stress of 2.15 MPa,respectively at 18:00 and 8:00.According to the fatigue equation,the concrete was predicted to crack after 21 d of temperature cycling.Moreover,if humidity-induced stress is added on top of this,the tensile stress may approach or even exceed the concrete's tensile strength,thereby posing a significant risk of cracking.After the erection of upper structures,the tangential and vertical stresses no longer coincide because the upper structures have been erected.The curve of the tangential stress is unchanged,whereas the curve of the vertical stress is translated downwards by 1.57 MPa due to the structural deadweight.Therefore,the maximum tangential compressive stress remained 12.52 MPa,whereas the maximum vertical compressive stress increased to 14.09 MPa.Additionally,the maximum tangential tensile stress was 2.15 MPa,and the maximum vertical tensile stress was 0.58 MPa.According to Appendix C of GB/T 50010 and the fatigue equation,stresses are unlikely to cause cracking of the pier concrete surface.Although a higher CTE of the coarse aggregate slightly increased the maximum compressive stress,the differences among the three groups of concrete were minimal and could be ignored.Specifically,the maximum compressive stresses on the pier concrete surface were 12.54,12.45 MPa,and 12.56 MPa when using diorite,limestone,and basalt,respectively.By contrast,a lower CTE of the coarse aggregate results in a greater maximum tensile stress on the pier concrete surface.For example,when using limestone,which has a low CTE,the maximum tensile stress on the pier concrete surface is 2.28 MPa,compared to 2.17 MPa when using diorite and 2.14 MPa when using basalt.The finite element simulation results indicated that the maximum compressive stress on the pier concrete surface was 11.72 MPa,whereas the maximum tensile stress was 2.10 MPa.These results are approximately consistent with the theoretical calculations.This consistency provides mutual verification.Conclusions Surface cracking in pier concrete occurs predominantly before the erection of upper structures.Under sunny conditions,the orthogonal decomposition of the superficial stress revealed that the maximum compressive stress during the day was approximately 12.52 MPa,whereas the maximum tensile stress was approximately 2.15 MPa.This tensile stress approached the tensile strength of the C35 concrete under biaxial tension.The risk of cracking increased significantly when humidity-induced stress was considered.After the erection of upper structures,the maximum tangential tensile stress on the pier surface remained at 2.15 MPa while the maximum vertical stress decreased to 0.58 MPa,both of which are well below the tensile strength of C35 concrete under biaxial tension.Although the use of coarse aggregates with a lower coefficient of thermal expansion reduced the tensile stress induced by temperature gradients,it increased the stress owing to material deformation incompatibility,leading to a slight increase in the maximum tensile stress on the pier concrete surface.
文摘Scour around bridge pier foundations is a complex phenomenon that can threaten structural stability.Accurate prediction of scour depth around compound piers remains challenging for bridge engineers.This study investigated the effect of foundation elevation on scour around compound piers and developed reliable scour depth prediction models for economical foundation design.Experiments were conducted under clear-water conditions using two circular piers:(1)a uniform pier(with a diameter of D)and(2)a compound pier consisting of a uniform pier resting on a circular foundation(with a foundation diameter(D_(f))of 2D)positioned at various elevations(Z)relative to the channel bed.Results showed that foundation elevation significantly affected scour depth.Foundations at or below the bed(Z/D≥0)reduced scour,while those projecting into the flow field(Z/D<0)increased scour.The optimal foundation elevation was found to be 0.1D below the bed level,yielding a 57%reduction in scour depth compared to the uniform pier due to its shielding effect against downflow and horseshoe vortices.In addition,regression,artificial neural network(ANN),and M5 model tree models were developed using experimental data from this and previous studies.The M5 model outperformed the traditional HEC-18 equation,regression,and ANN models,with a coefficient of determination greater than 0.85.Sensitivity analysis indicated that flow depth,foundation elevation,and diameter significantly influenced scour depth prediction,whereas sediment size had a lesser impact.
文摘Aiming at the problems of difficulty in balancing construction efficiency and quality,as well as the high safety risks of working at heights during the construction of main piers for highway bridges,this study takes a specific bridge project as an example to introduce the technology of hydraulically sliding formwork for the construction of main piers of highway bridges.An in-depth analysis of the project’s construction process found that this technology can effectively improve construction efficiency,ensure the quality of concrete pouring,and significantly reduce the potential safety hazards of working at heights.It provides a reliable technical solution for constructing the main piers of highway bridges and has important reference significance for similar projects.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant numbers 41977233)。
文摘Bridge pier failures from granular flow impacts are common.Installing defense piles upstream is an effective mitigation strategy,yet their protective mechanisms and standardized design guidelines are unclear.This study employed 3D discrete element method to analyze the influence of defense pile size and placement on its performance across 219 scenarios,providing a detailed examination of their protective mechanisms.Results show that optimizing these factors can reduce the maximum impact force on bridge piers by up to 94%.In terms of size,a critical height threshold is identified,beyond which increasing pile height does not enhance protection.This threshold depends on the movement height of granular particles at the slope base.Protection effectiveness varies with pile size:when H≤0.05 h(H is the height of defense piles,h is the height of bridge),protection marginally improves with increasing height and diameter;for 0.05 h<H<0.15 h,protection strongly correlates with both parameters;for H≥0.15 h,diameter becomes the dominant factor.In terms of placement,an optimal longitudinal distance exists between the defense pile and the bridge pier.The larger the diameter,the greater the optimal longitudinal distance.However,the transverse distance is inversely related to protection effectiveness.Mechanistic analysis shows that defense piles are more effective at redirecting particles to prevent direct collisions with the pier(contributing 100%impact energy reduction before the non-dimensional travel time t*=7.01 and 63%–100%afterward)than at reducing particle velocity.This study provides insights into the protective mechanisms of defense piles and informs strategies for optimizing bridge pier protection in granular flow-prone regions.
文摘In this study,the flow characteristics around a group of three piers arranged in tandem were investigated both numerically and experimentally.The simulation utilised the volume of fluid(VOF)model in conjunction with the k–ɛmethod(i.e.,for flow turbulence representations),implemented through the ANSYS FLUENT software,to model the free-surface flow.The simulation results were validated against laboratory measurements obtained using an acoustic Doppler velocimeter.The comparative analysis revealed discrepancies between the simulated and measured maximum velocities within the investigated flow field.However,the numerical results demonstrated a distinct vortex-induced flow pattern following the first pier and throughout the vicinity of the entire pier group,which aligned reasonably well with experimental data.In the heavily narrowed spaces between the piers,simulated velocity profiles were overestimated in the free-surface region and underestimated in the areas near the bed to the mid-stream when compared to measurements.These discrepancies diminished away from the regions with intense vortices,indicating that the employed model was capable of simulating relatively less disturbed flow turbulence.Furthermore,velocity results from both simulations and measurements were compared based on velocity distributions at three different depth ratios(0.15,0.40,and 0.62)to assess vortex characteristic around the piers.This comparison revealed consistent results between experimental and simulated data.This research contributes to a deeper understanding of flow dynamics around complex interactive pier systems,which is critical for designing stable and sustainable hydraulic structures.Furthermore,the insights gained from this study provide valuable information for engineers aiming to develop effective strategies for controlling scour and minimizing destructive vortex effects,thereby guiding the design and maintenance of sustainable infrastructure.
基金supported by the Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant No.LTGG23E080001Scientific Research Foundation of Hangzhou City University under Grant Nos.X-202107 and X-202109Zhejiang Engineering Research Center of Intelligent Urban Infrastructure under Grant No.IUI2023-ZD-14.
文摘This article provides an overview of the current development status of prestressed segmental precast and assembled piers,Emphasis was placed on analyzing the stress characteristics of bridge piers under impact.The concept of recoverable functional design and its application prospects were elaborated,and finally,the research on the impact resistance performance of prestressed segmental precast and assembled pierswas discussed.Research has shown that optimizing design and material selection can effectively enhance the impact resistance and structural durability of bridge piers.At the same time,the introduction of the concept of recoverable functionality provides new ideas for the rapid repair and functional recovery of bridge piers,which helps to improve the recovery efficiency of bridges after extreme events.Future research should focus on the evaluation methods of impact resistance performance,new connection technologies,in-depth application of recoverable functional design,a combination of impact simulation experiments and numerical analysis,and exploration of comprehensive disaster prevention and reduction strategies.These research results will also promote the further development and innovation of prefabricated assembly technology in bridge engineering,bringing new ideas and methods to the field of engineering construction.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(Project No.51878156)EPC Innovation Consulting Project for Longkou Nanshan LNG Phase I Receiving Terminal(Z2000LGENT0399).
文摘To mitigate the challenges in managing the damage level of reinforced concrete(RC)pier columns subjected to cyclic reverse loading,this study conducted a series of cyclic reverse tests on RC pier columns.By analyzing the outcomes of destructive testing on various specimens and fine-tuning the results with the aid of the IMK(Ibarra Medina Krawinkler)recovery model,the energy dissipation capacity coefficient of the pier columns were able to be determined.Furthermore,utilizing the calibrated damage model parameters,the damage index for each specimen were calculated.Based on the obtained damage levels,three distinct pre-damage conditions were designed for the pier columns:minor damage,moderate damage,and severe damage.The study then predicted the variations in hysteresis curves and damage indices under cyclic loading conditions.The experimental findings reveal that the displacement at the top of the pier columns can serve as a reliable indicator for controlling the damage level of pier columns post-loading.Moreover,the calibrated damage index model exhibits proficiency in accurately predicting the damage level of RC pier columns under cyclic loading.
文摘In bridge engineering,monitoring pier offsets is crucial for ensuring both structural safety and construction quality.The total station measurement method using a reflector is widely employed,offering significant advantages in specific scenarios.During measurements,errors are influenced by various factors.Initially,misalignment causes the lateral relative error to increase before decreasing,while longitudinal relative errors fluctuate due to instrument characteristics and operational factors.Lateral movements have a more pronounced impact on these errors.Investigating the positioning layout of pier offsets holds substantial importance as it enables precise displacement monitoring,prevents accidents,aids in maintenance planning,provides valuable references for design and construction,and enhances the pier’s resistance to deflection.Controlling and correcting subsequent errors is essential to ensure the overall safety of the bridge structure.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant Nos.52068045,U21A2012 and 41825015。
文摘Here,a seismic-response analysis model was proposed for evaluating the nonlinear seismic response of a pile-supported bridge pier under frozen and thawed soil conditions.The effect of a seasonally frozen soil layer on the seismic vulnerability of a pile-supported bridge pier was evaluated based on reliability theory.Although the frozen soil layer inhibited the seismic response of the ground surface to a certain extent,it exacerbated the acceleration response at the bridge pier top owing to the low radiation damping effect of the frozen soil layer.Furthermore,the frozen soil layer reduced the lateral displacement of the bridge pier top relative to the ground surface by approximately 80%,thereby preventing damage caused by earthquakes,such as falling girders.Compared to the thawed state of the ground surface,the bending moment of the bridge pier in frozen ground increases.However,the bending moment of the pile foundation in frozen ground decreases,thereby lessening the seismic vulnerability of the bridge pile foundation.The results of this can provide a reference for the seismic response analysis and seismic risk assessment of pile-supported bridges in seasonally frozen regions.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant Nos.51408359,52278527 and 52478536。
文摘To address local concrete damage in joint areas at the footing of prefabricated assembled self-centering bridge piers(PASPs)in seismic design,a damage transfer configuration(DTC)was proposed,based on the bridge pier structure configuration and the mechanism of local damage formation.Integrating the DTC into the PASP,numerical models of a previous experimental reference PASP and a PASP with damage transfer configuration(DTPASP)were established using the finite element software ABAQUS with a concrete damage plasticity(CDP)model.The models were then compared with experimental results regarding damage distribution,hysteresis curves,energy dissipation capacity,the joint opening degree,and residual displacement.The findings indicate that the finite element model developed in this study can well reflect the experimental results of the reference PASP.The incorporation of the DTC proved to be beneficial in preserving structural integrity,bearing capacity,and the functionality of the core structure of bridge piers following an earthquake.Meanwhile,this addition did not exert a significant influence on the seismic behavior of the core structure of the bridge pier.
基金The Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province(NoBK2002061)
文摘A novel seismic design method, namely split-pier seismic design, is proposed. A vertical gap and connect elements are set in split-piers. The lateral stiffness of piers is reduced by cracking of the connect elements under severe earthquake, and the seismic response of bridges is reduced by avoiding the site predominant periods. A model of tied-arch rigid frame bridge with split-piers was designed. Seismic performance was investigated by pseudo-static experimentation on the scale model, The failure process of split-piers, the hysteresis characteristic and the effect of split-piers on the superstructure are presented. Results show that the split-pier has better seismic performance than common ductile piers do.
文摘The equations of the lateral deflection curve of the short pier shear wall under a lateral concentrated load at any level are derived by employing a continuous approach. Lateral flexibility matrixes for the dynamic analysis are also obtained by repeatedly calculating the lateral unit load on the wall at each level where a lumped mass located. Dynamic analyses are implemented for short pier shear walls with different parameters, called the integrative coefficient and the pier strength coefficient related to the dimensions of walls. The influences of two coefficients on the dynamic performances of the structure are studied. Results indicate that with the increase of the integrative coefficient, the periods of top two modes apparently decrease but the other periods of higher frequency modes show little variation when the pier strength coefficient remains constant. Similarly, if the integrative coefficient is constant, the top two periods of the free vibration decrease with the increase of the integrative coefficient but the other periods of higher frequency modes show less variation.
基金The National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.5117810151378112)the Doctoral Fund of Ministry of Education(No.20110092110011)
文摘To study the seismic performance of double-skin steelconcrete composite box（ DSCB） piers, a total of 11 DSCB pier specimens were tested under bidirectional cyclic loading. The effects of the loading pattern, the steel plate thickness, the axial load ratio, the slenderness ratio and the aspect ratio were taken into consideration. The damage evolution process and failure modes of the tested specimens are presented in detail. Test results are also discussed in terms of the hysteretic curve, skeleton curve, ductility and energy dissipation capacity of DSCB pier specimens. It can be concluded that the hysteretic performance of DSCB piers in one direction is affected and weakened by the cyclic loading in the other direction. DSCB piers under bidirectional cyclic loading exhibit good performance in terms of load carrying capacity, ductility, and energy dissipation capacity. Overall, DSCB piers can meet the basic aseismic requirements. The research results can be taken as a reference for using DSCB piers as high piers in bridges in strong earthquakeprone areas.
基金The National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.51678141,51378112)the Open Fund from the National Engineering Laboratory for Technology of Geological Disaster Prevention in Land Transportation,Southwest Jiaotong University(No.SWJTUGGS-2014001)
文摘An accurate finite element （ FE） model was constructed to examine the hysteretic behavior of double-skin steel-concrete composite box （ DSCB） piers for further understanding the seismic performance of DSCB piers; where the local buckling behavior of steel tubes, the confinement of the in-filled concrete and the interface action between steel tube and in-filled concrete were considered. The accuracy of the proposed FE model was verified by the bidirectional cyclic loading test results. Based on the validated FE model, the effects of some key parameters, such as section width to steel thickness ratio, slenderness ratio, aspect ratio and axial load ratio on the hysteretic behavior of DSCB piers were investigated. Finally, the skeleton curve model of DSCB piers was proposed. The numerical simulation results reveal that the peak strength and elastic stiffness decrease with the increase of the section width to steel thickness ratio. Moreover, the increase of the slenderness ratio may result in a significant reduction in the peak strength and elastic stiffness while the ultimate displacement increases. The proposed skeleton curve model can be taken as a reference for seismic performance analyses of the DSCB piers.
