Simultaneous buckling of bridge piers: algorithm applied in push-over analysis for the seismic design of the pylons on Bucaramanga Bridge in Colombia

Abstract

The relevance of this article is threefold: 1st It presents in detail the algorithm used to test the stability of bridge piers in a global model, i.e., integrated in the most general structure of the bridge. 2nd The method put forward represents a more general alternative to the commonly used moment-curvature method of sectional analysis for biaxial bending under constant axial force. 3rd It describes the algorithm's application to a 292 m span cable-stayed bridge with piers of 50 and 70 m in height (total height of the biggest tower 133 m). Its application, considering confinement in some particular cross-sections of piers permits the taking into account of plastic hinges" phenomena due to earthquakes and demonstrates the degree of ductility achieved in the structure. This constitutes a practical application of the push-over method to bridge piers."