Multi-hazard resistant steel plate shear wall bridge pier concept

Bridges are built in a variety of locations, many of which are susceptible to multiple extreme hazards (earthquakes, vehicle collisions, tsunamis or storm surges, and blasts are considered in this research since they are present as a minimum for some locations). This underscores the need to develop an innovative design concept for bridges from a multi-hazard perspective in which all hazards and their sometimes conflicting design solutions are considered from the onset. This is done here, focusing on a multi-hazard resistant pier composed of steel plate shear walls. Following the development and design of a Steel Plate Shear Wall (SPSW) box pier concept that considered each hazard by use of simplified analyses, advanced nonlinear finite element analyses were conducted to verify and validate its behavior. The proposed SPSW box pier system has adequate ductile performance and strength for each of the hazards considered in this research.