Research on Bearing Capacity of Reinforced Arch Bridge Bents Based on Pushover Analysis

To explore the bearing capacity of reinforced arch bridge bents, the original 3# framed bent of a 130 m arch bridge were reinforced by applying the fiber reinforced plastic (FRP), enlarging section and using steel plates. Next, the Pushover analysis was performed for bent piers through the displacement-based pushover method. Finally, the plastic deformation and ultimate thrust force of this bridge were calculated via Midas Civil. The results revealed that in the transverse direction of this bridge, the mean ultimate horizontal thrust force of upright columns was 427.9 kN, and their ultimate horizontal thrust force was elevated by 1.47% after using FRP, by 47.57% after embedding steel bars, and 66.62% after using steel plates. In the direction along this bridge, the mean ultimate horizontal thrust force of the stand columns was 460.3 kN, which was increased to 472.3 kN after using FRP, to 547.2 kN after planting steel bars and to 673.7 kN after using steel plates. The Pushover analysis method, which can truly reflect the failure process of bridge piers under quasi-static loads, serves as a basis for the earthquake-proof reinforcement analysis of framed bent piers. The ultimate bearing capacity of stand column nodes was evidently improved after being reinforced by using steel plates and enlarging sections.