Experimental seismic testing of a controlled rocking bridge steel truss pier

The experimental specimen (originally designed for different testing programs) was modified to satisfy similitude and strength requirements, to allow rocking at the base, and to provide adequate boundary conditions. Modifications, required primarily at the base of the specimen, included replacing the column base plates, and adding column flange cover plates, column web doubler plates, beam-column transverse stiffeners, and a base perimeter beam (collector beam). Specimen details and boundary conditions were designed as described below.