Controlled rocking pile foundation system with replaceable bar fuses for seismic resilience

Bridges designed following a conventional approach minimize the risk of collapse,but often require challenging,costly,and time-consuming restoration after an earthquake occurs.The new seismic design philosophy requires bridges to maintain functionality even after severe earthquakes.In this context,this paper proposes a controlled rocking pile foundation(CRPF)system and numerically evaluates bridges′degree of seismic resilience.The CRPF system allows a pile cap to rock on a pile foundation and dissipate seismic energy through inelastic deformations of replaceable bar fuses that connect a pile cap and piles.Following the conceptual design of the CRPF system,two analytical models were developed for a bridge pier utilizing the CRPF system and a pier designed to develop a plastic hinge in its column.The analytical results indicate that,after experiencing a severe earthquake,a conventionally designed bridge pier sustained substantial damage in its column and exhibited significant residual displacement.In contrast,a pier using the CRPF system showed negligible residual displacement and maintained elastic behavior except,as expected,for bar fuses.The damaged fuses can be rapidly replaced to recover bridge seismic resistance following an earthquake.Therefore,the CRPF system helps to achieve the desired postearthquake performance objectives.