Performance-based assessment of bridges with steel-SMA reinforced piers in a life-cycle context by numerical approach

Abstract

Reconnaissance of structural damage under earthquakes has indicated that though current design philosophy can reduce structural collapse probability, it results in a significant reduction of functionality following earthquakes considering residual drift and numerous bridges had to be demolished. To protect bridges against earthquakes and reduce the residual drift, shape memory alloy (SMA) is studied and incorporated in the plastic hinge region of reinforced concrete (RC) piers to increase the resilience of bridges. The performance-based engineering (PBE) of SMA bar reinforced RC bridges considering residual drift ratio and maximum displacement is assessed by taking advantages of self-centering and energy dissipation features of SMA, specifically under extensively large seismic events. Additionally, the PBE is conducted within the lifetime of bridges considering the corresponding economic impacts. The proposed approach is illustrated within highway bridges with and without using SMA bars in the piers.