Pseudo-static Experimental Research and Seismic Behavior Analysis on Elevated Pile Cap Foundation

The paper deals with experimental activity on 4 scale-models of elevated pile cap foundation belonging to a real bridge. The foundation was composed of 9 piles, pile cap and pier and the special soil box was built to consider soil-pile-superstructure interaction. Two specimens were strengthened by steel protective pipe at each pile top. The tests consist of cyclically imposed displacement to 4 specimens, performed in the state key laboratory for disaster reduction in civil engineering of Tongji University. According to the test result, the peak strength of strengthening specimens is about 1.77 times of the others and the ultimate displacement is 1.66 times of the original models. Additionally, the dissipated hysteric energy capability of strengthening specimens is more than 2.15 times of the others as the equivalent viscous damping ratio is reduced by 50%. Other relevant phenomena are the pinching effect of original specimens is more obvious and the hysteretic loops of reinforced specimens are more plumpness. Moreover, the failure and collapse mechanisms of the elevated pile cap foundation were summarized. Finally, the measures to enhance the aseismic capability for elevated pile cap foundation were proposed.