Optimization of critical factors responsible for prestressed concrete bridge pier collapse

In this research, the Taguchi approach has been used to identify the crucial factors responsible for the failure of a reinforced concrete bridge pier in India. The Taguchi method’s orthogonal array L₂₇ examines the effect of material dynamic response factors on the pier damage level. According to Taguchi’s design of experiments, five input criteria relating to reinforced concrete bridge materials properties have been chosen as controllable factors: concrete strength, rebar strength, damping ratio, isolator pier stiffness, and abutment stiffness. The nonlinear time history approach uses Midas- Civil for a 3-D finite element model of an existing bridge at Sangli, India. The research included bridge pier collapse as a performance criterion. The analysis of variance revealed that stiffness of abutment, stiffness of pier, and damping ratio for pier deck significantly impacted the pier collapse performance. The result shows that concrete strength and damping ratio are the essential parameters, with 42% and 41% of the total contribution to pier displacement, respectively. Therefore, it is concluded that the most critical material factors for pier collapse are abutment stiffness and pier stiffness, with a contribution of 53 % and 23%, respectively.