Seismic Performance Evaluation of RC Bridge Piers Using Time-dependent Element

In order to evaluate the seismic performance of damaged reinforced concrete members, particularly bridge piers, an inelastic time-dependent element is proposed. The proposed element enables increased characteristics due to structural intervention(i.e., repair or retrofitting) to be accurately reflected to the degraded strength and stiffness of the members. The inelastic time-dependent element having both birth and death time can freely be activated within the user-defined time intervals during static and dynamic time-history analysis. Comparative studies are carried out for reinforced concrete bridge piers that are repaired and retrofitted. Analytical predictions using the developed element show reasonable correlation with experimental results. Also conducted is a nonlinear time-history analysis of a reinforced concrete bridge under multiple earthquakes. The comparative analytical results prove the validation of current development. In all, it is concluded that the present element is capable of providing salient features for the healthy evaluation of seismic performance and hence seismic stability assessment of RC bridge piers being repaired and retrofitted.