抄録
The characterization of bridge-abutment-backfill-pile interaction is an important component in seismic bridge response evaluations. This paper presents a relatively simple and realistic methodology to evaluate the nonlinear translational (longitudinal, and transverse) spring stiffnesses of abutments founded on pile foundation. Many important factors such as the abutment dimensions, nonlinear pile-soil interaction, superstructure loads, and difference in soil behavior under active and passive conditions have been accounted for. Only routinely used soil properties are required in the model. The paper describes a calibration study undertaken to ascertain the predictive capability of the proposed approach using large-scale field tests. A very good agreement exists between the predictions and the large-scale field tests results. Both longitudinal and transverse field tests were utilized in the calibration. This paper also presents the results of a parametric study in which the influence of pile fixity conditions, relative contribution of piles to abutment stiffness, and deck loads were investigated.
