Analytical Studies of a Novel Bridge Column-Footing Pipe Pin Connection under Lateral Loading

Abstract

Different types of connections have been used in practice to simulate a hinge behavior at the base of bridge columns. Previous earthquakes demonstrated that none of them could remain elastic and damage free during the seismic events, and thus did not satisfy the code requirements. To address this shortcoming, base pipe pin connections were developed. Cyclic loading studies of base pipe pins incorporated at the base of a scaled two-column bent model showed promising results. This paper presents the results of comprehensive analytical studies conducted on base pipe pins under lateral loading. An elaborate finite element model of the pins was developed using ABAQUS, and the accuracy of the modeling was evaluated based on the correlation with experimental results. The verified model was used to investigate the effect of different parameters on the seismic performance of the pins. Results of the parametric studies led to a series of detailing recommendation for optimized design of base pipe pins as capacity protected members.