Evaluating the seismic behavior of reinforced concrete piers of bridges by using fibre plastic hinge elements

Abstract

Concrete is widely used for bridge construction. Defining fibre elements in the finite element simulation process can give detailed properties of reinforced concrete elements and lead to improving the accuracy of the results. In this study, the behavior of concrete piers is discussed by using nonlinear static analysis under the effect of constant load pattern with definition of fibre plastic hinges. Defining nonlinear materials and plastic hinges results in more accuracy in stiffness distribution. Consequently, the shear capacity of the concrete piers is reduced by uneven stiffness distribution.