Abstract: In the socket connection, the bridge piers adopt prefabricated piers. After the bridge piers are inserted into the reserved holes of the cap, high-strength fast-setting grouting is poured into the periphery of the bridge pier insertion end to compact the reserved holes. The structural reliability of the socket connection mainly depends on the grouting and socket depth. Pseudo static tests and ANSYS numerical simulations were performed on the socket specimens and cast-in-place specimens. The effects of the grouts adhesive properties, the elastic modulus of the grout and the filling thickness on the overall mechanical properties were studied. The results show that,when the grout is bonded well, the socket specimen has the same level of thrust stiffness and ultimate bearing capacity as the cast-in-place specimen; after the cement grout fails, a new force transmission path occurs between the bridge pier and the cap. The socket specimen still has good thrust rigidity and horizontal bearing capacity, but the reinforcement of the socket test piece on the base plate of the socket needs to be strengthened accordingly to improve the bearing performance of the cap; the elastic modulus of the grout and the filling thickness have little effect on the ultimate bearing capacity of socket specimens,and the horizontal stiffness of the socket specimen is not influenced by the thickness of the grout, but it increases with the increases of the elastic modulus of the grout.

Key words: socket connection, grouting material, prefabricated pier, pseudo static test, mechanical performance