An Approximated Curve Hysteretic Restoring Force Model for Steel Bridge Piers and Experimental Verification

Abstract

In this paper, a hysteretic restoring force model is proposed to predict the inelastic response of steel piers under strong ground motions. Instead of multiple lines used by former researchers, a series of curves are adopted to approximate the complicated force-displacement hysteretic relationship of steel piers. In this model, hysteretic rules are proposed using six parameters, which can be obtained by static cyclic loading tests, to understand the hysteretic character of piers including deterioration. To verify the accuracy of the proposed model, six static cyclic tests and eleven hybrid tests using three kinds of steel piers are conducted. By comparing results due to the simulation and the tests, the validity of the proposed method is clarified accurately in the seismic response simulation.