A Microscale Framework for Seismic Stability Analysis of Bridge Pier Rocking Isolation Using the Discrete Element Method

Abstract

This study presents a microscale framework for investigating the seismic stability of bridge-pier structures using the discrete element method (DEM), with a focus on rocking isolation mechanisms. The piers and the deck are modeled as rigid blocks that follow rigid body dynamics. The rigid block is modeled as a collection of glued particles with geometrical arrangement and physical properties that mimic an actual block. To facilitate numerical contact points between the base of the block and the flat base wall, smaller particle sizes were introduced at the base of the block. A Hertz contact model was employed to model the interaction between contacting entities for better estimation of the contact constitutive parameters. Validation was performed using well-documented experimental data featuring the free-rocking of a granite stone block as well as existing analytical techniques. DEM simulations were performed on single blocks as well as on a bridge deck-pier system subjected to dynamic and seismic loadings. The study shows the effectiveness of rocking isolation through a comparative analysis of acceleration and angular velocity under varying seismic intensities, with acceleration reduction up to 70% for piers and 60% for the deck in a high-intensity scenario, affirming the potential of rocking isolation as a viable seismic mitigation strategy. The study monitors the structural response, contact mechanics, and energy dissipation of the pier–deck system. The application of the DEM model advances the analysis of bridge pier and deck interactions under seismic loads, providing new insights into the detailed behavior of rocking bridge piers and their potential for seismic isolation.