Abstract This paper experimentally and numerically investigates the seismic performance of prefabricated bridge piers with steel tenon‐enhanced socket connections. Quasi‐static tests on two pier groups (with/without steel tenons) combined with parametric finite element analysis revealed: (1) damage mitigation: steel tenons reduce the concrete spalling height by 30% (from 50 to 35 cm) and shortened the plastic hinge length by 10.4% (from 48 to 43 cm), effectively controlling crack propagation. (2) Seismic enhancement: At a critical socket depth of 0.5 D , steel tenons increase lateral load capacity by 14.4%, matching the performance of 0.8 D ‐depth conventional piers, while improving cumulative energy dissipation by 5.1% and post‐yield stiffness ratio by 5.1%. (3) Design guidelines: optimal parameters include a steel tenon outer diameter of 0.5 D , embedded pier depth equal to socket depth, and stud spacing of 0.1 D . Embedded base depth is less than 0.3 D . These findings provide a practical framework for enhancing the seismic performance of prefabricated concrete structures in accelerated bridge construction.
Liu et al. (Tue,) studied this question.