ABSTRACT
This paper focused on seismic behavior of integral abutment-steel H pile joints through cyclic tests. Six specimens were tested, composing of a steel H-pile embedded inside an inverted “T” shape reinforced concrete block simulating abutment. Design parameters varying as follow: H pile orientation, strong vs. weak axis bending; crumb rubber concrete (CRC) vs. normal concrete, for portion of abutment around pile tip; attaching rubber plates to H pile tip vs. no rubber plates. Test results indicated that: pile orientation had significant influence on seismic performance, energy dissipation and bending capacity for weak axis bending is lower than strong axis bending, while failure displacement and ductility is higher; CRC would reduce concrete cracks, initial stiffness, and slow down stiffness degradation, and reduced total energy dissipation; attaching rubber plates to pile tip protected it from damage. It would reduce initial stiffness and bending capacity, but increased failure displacement and ductility.
