Effects of Near-Fault and Far-Fault Ground Motions on Pile Sections of Integral Abutment Bridges Considering Soil Liquefaction

Abstract Integral abutment bridges (IABs) provide a frame-like structure without construction joints, and it is advised to support them with flexible piles. Soil liquefaction, which reduces strength and stiffens the soil, may impact the seismic response of IABs. This study investigates the impact of liquefaction on IAB piles, concentrating on the parametric study of different pile sections exposed to near-fault and far-fault ground motions (GMs). The Pyliq1 material model and zero-length elements in OpenSees were employed to simulate soil liquefaction around the piles, with numerical results corroborated by the experimental centrifuge tests. Results indicated that pile response differs with GM type; RCC piles demonstrated higher response under near-fault GMs, whereas steel piles showed higher response under far-fault GMs. CFST (Concrete-filled steel-tube) piles exhibited superior seismic resilience due to their flexibility. In summary, suggested to use CFST for support of IAB in liquefied soil or when using H-steel piles in liquefied soil, reinforce the piles in high-stress regions using available strengthening techniques.