Evaluation of Rotational Stiffness of Elastomeric Bearing Pad-Anchor Bolt Connections on Deep Foundation Bents

Abstract

Experimental tests are performed on a bearing pad-anchor bolt connection to study rotational stiffness and moment transfer capabilities of a typical bridge configuration. The experimental program is divided in two phases. The first phase consisted of shear and compression properties of two types of bearing pads. The second phase consisted of a total of 42 full-scale tests of a bearing pad-anchor bolt connection. The tested bridge-bent configuration includes two AASHTO Type II girders made continuous with a slab and diaphragm, bearing pads, pile caps, and piles. Variables included axial loads applied to the piles and bearing pads, two different sets of bearing pads, and three different pile types. The bridge connection is subjected to lateral cyclic reversed loading in one-cycle displacement increments. Test results show the potential for this type of connection to sustain lateral loads and flexural moments, and to develop the full strength of the pile elements. Shear and compression modulus are also obtained for the bearing pad types used in this study. Rotational stiffness values for the connection are determined as a function of varying axial loads.