A replaceable corrugated web shear link for seismic resilience of double-column bridge bent: Experimental, numerical, and theoretical study

Abstract

This study introduces an innovative replaceable corrugated steel web (CSW) shear link system for double-column bridge bents, designed to enhance seismic performance and enable rapid post-earthquake recovery. Through a comprehensive experimental program, eight full-scale specimens with varying geometric parameters (span-to-height ratios: 1.46–3.89; corrugation angles: 30–60°; orientation configurations) were subjected to quasi-static testing to evaluate their seismic behaviors, including damage process, energy dissipation, strength, stiffness and ductility. The experimental investigation revealed four characteristic failure modes: (1) CSW tearing, (2) coupled CSW and flange buckling, (3) combined CSW tearing and flange-to-web weld fracture, and (4) endplate-to-CSW connection failure. Key findings demonstrate that specimens with span-to-height ratios below 1.0 and corrugation angles exceeding 45° exhibit superior hysteretic performance, with the vertical-oriented specimen (VL1.89-θ45-a0.29) achieving optimal energy dissipation per unit volume (4.34 × 107J/m3) at the expense of accelerated stiffness degradation (60 % reduction after 3 % drift). Analytical results indicate a nonlinear relationship between ductility enhancement and span-to-height ratios, with measured improvement by 40 % as L/H increased from 1.46 to 3.89. Complementing the experimental work, advanced finite element models incorporating ductile fracture criteria were developed, achieving a 1.06 % correlation with test results. The study further proposes and validates simplified design equations for yield strength and lateral stiffness of CSW links, providing practical tools for engineering implementation. These findings establish a technical foundation for developing resilient bridge systems with rapid recovery capabilities