Influence of pier height and bearing parameters on seismic response and energy dissipation of railway bridges isolated with novel self-centering bearing

Abstract

The rapid development of high-speed railways makes it inevitable to cross the seismic zone, which makes the seismic resistance and post-earthquake reset of high-speed railway bridges an important issue. To solve this problem, a self-centering isolation bearing was developed. The finite element models of high-speed railway bridges with different pier heights were established, and the accuracy of the model was verified by a shaking table test. The differences in seismic response and energy dissipation between the seismic isolated model and the non-isolated model were compared, and the parameters of the self-centering bearing were analyzed. The results show that the self-centering bearing not only possesses excellent recentering ability but also can reduce the girder acceleration and pier response. Besides, it can change the distribution of seismic energy, greatly increase the bearing friction energy, and reduce the pier hysteretic energy. Finally, the analysis shows that solid short piers and hollow high piers are conducive to the seismic isolation function of the bearing, and the friction coefficient of 0.035–0.055 can maximize the bearing friction energy.