Analytical and Experimental Evaluation of Flexural Capacity Improvement Method for Reinforced Concrete Pier and Case-in-Steel-Shell Pile Foundation Connection

Recently, Cast-In-Steel Shell(CISS) pile has been used as the foundation of bridges and a pier is directly connected to the pile. In this case, plastic hinge is generally formed at the connection between the pile and pier. To increase the flexural capacity of such structure, a proper improvement method is necessary for the connection. In this study, a steel tube has been used to enhance flexural capacity of the connection and the effect by the such method was evaluated through a series of 3-dimensional finite element method analysis and experimental studies. From the analysis and test results, it can be found that the flexure capacity is considerably increased by applying the steel tube at the connection.