Application Effect Evaluation of Equivalent Linearization Method Used in Displacement-Based Design of Bridge Piers

Six equivalent linearization methods are summarized and calculation process of applying equivalent linearization method for displacement-based design of bridge engineering is studied. With the evaluation of volume stirrup ratio and safety performance of design structure, six different equivalent linearization methods are used in displacement-based design of bridge columns. The influence of equivalent linearization model and the damping adjust coefficient to seismic design results is studied. Study shows that there are big differences among the seismic design results based on different equivalent linearization methods. Equivalent damping ratio model and the damping adjust coefficient have great influence on seismic design results. Calculation errors of Kowalsky method and Iwan method and Ou method are very small. Calculation error of Kowalsky method is decreasing when displacement ductility factor increases. The calculated result based on the damping adjust coefficient provided by Eurocode8 specification is more close to the real one. Kowalsky method and the damping adjust coefficient of Eurocode8 specification is recommended to be used in displacement-based design of bridge engineering.