Experimental and numerical investigation of steel tenon‐enhanced socket connection for seismic performance optimization in precast assembled bridge piers

Abstract This paper experimentally and numerically investigates the seismic performance of prefabricated bridge piers with steel tenon‐enhanced socket connections. Quasi‐static tests on two pier groups (with/without steel tenons) combined with parametric finite element analysis revealed: (1) damage mitigation: steel tenons reduce the concrete spalling height by 30% (from 50 to 35 cm) and shortened the plastic hinge length by 10.4% (from 48 to 43 cm), effectively controlling crack propagation. (2) Seismic enhancement: At a critical socket depth of 0.5 D , steel tenons increase lateral load capacity by 14.4%, matching the performance of 0.8 D ‐depth conventional piers, while improving cumulative energy dissipation by 5.1% and post‐yield stiffness ratio by 5.1%. (3) Design guidelines: optimal parameters include a steel tenon outer diameter of 0.5 D , embedded pier depth equal to socket depth, and stud spacing of 0.1 D . Embedded base depth is less than 0.3 D . These findings provide a practical framework for enhancing the seismic performance of prefabricated concrete structures in accelerated bridge construction.