Experimental Investigation and Retrofit of Steel Pile Foundations and Pile Bents Under Cyclic Lateral Loadings.

摘要

This research investigated the performance and retrofit of bridge pile-to-cap connections that are representative of construction in the eastern and central United States. Both the seismic vulnerability of existing pile cap connections, where the embedment depth of the pile inside the cap beam is small and the seismic design requirements for strong cap beam-to-pile connections for new construction and retrofit of existing structures are considered. Two simplified theoretical concepts were developed to predict the connection behavior under different lateral and axial load patterns. These concepts were then compared to rigorous finite element analysis that validated the simplified limit theories. On the basis of these theories, design guidelines and retrofit strategies for these connections were proposed.