Damage control of a twin-column pier with a replaceable steel shear link in a cap beam under transverse seismic motion

Abstract This paper proposes a novel twin-column pier with steel shear link (SSL) installed in the cap beam to reduce seismic damage transverse direction. The SSL interrupts rigid and relieves coupled deformation of two columns. Benefits yieldable event strong earthquake are longer effective column limited axial compressive load. A benchmark reinforced-concrete bridge is employed performance evaluation verify reduction an SSL. Five numerical models, calibrated physical component test, built ABAQUS; that is, one original four bridges different SSLs accompanying configurations. Modal analysis shows introducing does not change overall structural dynamic characteristics. nonlinear results indicate adopting effectively reduces peak strain column, but energy dissipation from negligible compared total inputted energy. There no evident macro response when using SSL, such as drift damping ratio. Moreover, continuous main girder suggested for realizing additional restoring moment at top, which further strain.