Application of Pushover Analysis in Bridge Piers

This paper summarizes basic principles and assumptions of pushover analysis, and then introduces two important factors which may make the results of analysis different: lateral load patterns and calculation of maximum displacement.Subsequently, the paper selects two kinds of lateral load pattern to make pushover analysis of a common single column pier.Then the seismic performance is evaluated based on the performance point.Through comparing the results with those of response spectrum analysis the conclusion is that the results are consistent which illustrates that pushover analysis method is easy, efficient and applicable to the structure.