Nonlinear response of bridge piers on inclined pile groups: the role of rocking foundation input motion

This paper presents first results of an on-going research focused on the effects of piles layout and inclination on the nonlinear seismic response of bridge piers. The analysis methodology, based on the substructure approach, is firstly presented. The soil-foundation system is studied in the frequency domain according to a numerical model developed by the authors while the inertial interaction analysis of the superstructures is carried out in the time domain to capture the nonlinear structural behaviour. A suitable lumped parameter model is used to approximate the frequency dependent behaviour of the soil-foundation impedances in the time domain analyses. The procedure is applied to some case studies constituted by single bridge piers founded on medium stiff and soft clayed soil deposits. Pile groups with piles of different inclinations are considered, as well as piers with different fundamental periods and yielding bending moments of the base cross sections, to simulate systems with different ductility capacity. Analyses results show the key role of the foundation rocking on the superstructure response and demonstrate that inclined pile foundations may have a significant impact on the superstructure response, reducing the pier head displacements and ductility demand.