Test for the influence of socket connection structure on the seismic performance of RC prefabricated bridge piers

In order to obtain the impact of socket connection interface forms and socket gap sizes on the seismic performance of reinforced concrete (RC) socket prefabricated bridge piers, quasi-static tests for three socket prefabricated piers with different column-foundation connection interface forms and reserved socket gap sizes, as well as to the corresponding cast-in-situ reinforced concrete piers, were carried out. The influence of socket connection structure on various seismic performance indexes of socket prefabricated piers was studied by comparing and analyzing the hysteresis curve and skeleton curve obtained through the experiment. Results showed that the ultimate failure mode of the socket prefabricated pier with circumferential corrugated treatment at the connection interface was the closest to that of the monolithic pier, the maximum bearing capacity was slightly less than that of the cast-in-situ pier but larger than that of the socket pier with roughened connection interface, and the displacement ductility and accumulated energy consumption capacity were smaller than those of socket piers with roughened connection interface. The connection interface treatment form had less influence on the residual deformation of socket prefabricated bridge piers. With the increase in the reserved socket gap size between the precast pier column and the precast foundation, the bearing capacity of the prefabricated socket bridge pier component, as well as the ductility and residual displacement of the component, would be reduced and had unfavorable effect on the energy dissipation property of the bridge pier component.