>Pile-supported marginal wharves are critical components of the nation’s infrastructure. Pile-wharf connections have sustained damage in earthquakes. Current connection design uses headed dowel bars anchored in grouted ducts in vertical piles and cast integrally with the deck. Typically, the pile is embedded 3 in. (76 mm) into the deck. Although prior research found these dowel connections to have adequate resistance, they sustained damage and strength deterioration in both pile and deck even at moderate deformations. The necessary postearthquake repair is difficult and economically disruptive. Research was conducted to develop a new pile-wharf connection less vulnerable to seismic damage. Several structural concepts were evaluated, including intentionally debonding the dowel bars, employing a bearing pad between the head of the pile and the deck, and adding a flexible joint aroundthe embedded portion of the pile. A prototype connection was developed and studied experimentally to investigate the effect of axial load, bearing-pad material, and bearing-pad configuration. The proposed connection reduces damage and strength deterioration relative to current connections, delaying pile and deck spalling well beyond the expected seismic deformation demand level. The experimental observations and measures were used to develop performance-based design expressions and a design procedure for this new connection
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