Enhancing Seismic Capacity of Pile-Supported Wharves Using Yielding Dampers

Abstract

This paper presents a numerical study on the seismic response of pile-supported wharves equipped with metallic yielding dampers. Using 20 ground acceleration records, the contribution of the yielding damper is examined, and its main parameters are optimized through a parametric study. In the current study, considering coupling effects of different parameters, a new optimization procedure is proposed. The obtained results indicate that the stability condition of the retaining wall (quay wall) behind the wharf, period of the soil-wharf system, and also maximum allowable ductility ratio of the damper are the key factors affecting the optimum damper parameters. A simplified design guideline is proposed for either the design or the retrofit purposes followed by a numerical assessment to evaluate the contribution of the proposed damper on the seismic behavior of a typical pile-supported wharf. The obtained results show that yielding dampers, through their nonlinear behavior, can dissipate a large portion of seismic input energy and mitigate piles damages which have been observed in earlier earthquake events.

Pushover analysis for flexible and semi‐flexible pile‐supported wharf structures accounting the dynamic magnification factors due to torsional effects

“…Due to economic loss and tremendous impact on society by severe earthquakes affecting the regions where the constructions are located, seismic design of PSWSs has attracted great interest 1–5 . Displacement‐based seismic design methods have been used in port industry for decades.…”