Experimental Study on an Innovative Double-Limb-Thin-Wall Bridge Pier with Longitudinal Replaceable Connecting Beams

Replaceable energy dissipation elements can reduce damage to main structures and improve seismic resistance of bridge structures. However, in existing studies, replaceable are mainly arranged the transverse direction structure, while little attention is given longitudinal bridge, which also suffers from serious under earthquakes. This paper proposes an innovative double-limb-thin-wall (DLTW) pier, consists two thin-limb-wall columns steel connecting beams (RSCBs) between them. Quasistatic tests proposed DLTW pier with RSCBs (DLTW-RSCBs), a conventional RC (DLTW-RCCBs) were conducted investigate performance pier. The test results demonstrate that use (CBs) lateral bearing capacity cumulative dissipated improved amplitudes more significant for DLTW-RSCB specimen, about 21.6% 13.4%, respectively. Moreover, due protection CBs, DLTW-RCCBs DLTW-RSCBs have lower residual drift ratios than DLTW-NBs before failure CBs. differences these three piers gradually disappear finally destroyed as result modes buckling low-cycle fatigue fracture bars at column bottom. still be rapidly repaired after specimen. Therefore, setting effectively repair costs earthquake loading, valuable sustainability during service stage. outcomes this work serve reference further development structural forms innovated