Investigations into Nonlinear Effects of Normal Pressures on Dynamic Cyclic Responses of Novel 3D-Printed TPMS Bridge Bearings

Bridge bearings are one of the most important components in bridge systems. Typical bearings are extensively used in small- to medium-span highway bridges since they are economical and offer a good performance at service-level conditions. On the other hand, common bridge bearings possess a low performance-to-weight ratio under combined compression and shear loading conditions (low crashworthiness and specific energy absorption), due to their heavy weight, high costs, and the non-recyclability of steel and elastomer materials. With the help of a relatively higher ratio of a 3D-printed triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) structure, this method can potentially be used for bridge bearing applications. However, the cyclic responses of this TPMS structure used in bearings have never been completely investigated. This study is the world’s first to investigate the effects of normal pressure on the cyclic responses of novel 3D-printed TPMS bridge bearings. A numerical TPMS unit cell model considering the effects of normal pressure on cyclic responses of a novel TPMS bridge bearing is developed and validated with experimental data. The numerical results reveal new insights related to the nonlinear effects of normal pressure on the cyclic behaviours of 3D-printed TPMS bearings. Higher normal pressures result in a higher degree of nonlinearity in the dynamic cyclic responses of the 3D-printed TPMS bearings.