PIER Non-linear Analysis of Slender, Nonprismatic,

and Hollow Concrete Columns

Version 2.0.1, September 2003

INPUT GUIDE

Program data is input using a text file which simulates card style input, with each line in the text file
representing a card. Above each data field is a code representing the type of input required. Codes that
begin with an A indicate an alphanumeric input, I integer, and F floating point decimal or real. The
numbers that follow indicate the number of characters in the field (Example: A10 field can contain up to
10 alphanumeric characters). If a code is not followed by a number it indicates that the input field has a
one character length. For the floating point decimal fields there are two numbers, the first number is the
total number of digits in the field, and the second number is the number of digits to follow the implied
decimal in the input field. If the second number is zero the implied decimal is at the end of the field and
therefore the input must be right justified. All implied decimal locations may be overridden by placing an
actual decimal point in the input field (Example: in an F5.4 field, entering 12345 would be read by the
program as 1.2345, but entering 12.45 would be read as 12.45). The use of an actual decimal point has the
effect of reducing the number of significant figures for a field by 1. If this reduction in precision is
acceptable, the user should override all implied decimals since the resulting input file will be more
readable by a human.

TABLE 1. Title Card

A80

1 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

This card should contain a descriptive title for the problem. Any alphanumeric characters are
acceptable.

TABLE 2. Member Description

No. of No. of Sections Segment

Length of Segments to define pier Length
Member (Max 10) Geometry Option
F10 2I 2I I

1 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

Column Description
<1-10> Length of the member

<19-20> Number of Segments the pier is divided into

<29-30> Number of different types of sections required to define the pier geometry
- 1, for a prismatic pier with a uniform cross section throughout.
- 2, for a linearly tapered pier,
- Number of sections, For a pier of arbitrary vertical configuration, or for a
prismatic pier with varying cross sections, the number of sections required is
equal to the number of segments the pier is divided into (limit is 10)

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Pier Ver 2.0.1 1 September 2003
<40> Parameter for equal segment lengths
- 0 or blank if all segments are the same length
- 1 if the segment lengths are different

TABLE 3. Segment Lengths (use only if Segment Length Option = 1)

1st Seg. 2nd Seg. 3rd Seg. 4th Seg. 5th Seg. 6th Seg. 7th Seg. 8th Seg.
F10 F10 F10 F10 F10 F10 F10 F10

1 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

9th Seg. 10th Seg. If the number of segments 8, this 2nd card is not used
F10 F10

1 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

Column Description

<1-10> Length of the first segment

<11-20> Length of the second segment

Continue for as many segments as required using extra cards as needed

TABLE 4. Support Conditions (one card each problem)

Total No. of Total No. of

Constrained Joints Joints with
(Supports) Springs
I2 I2

1 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

Column Description

<9-10> Total number of constrained joints (supports)

<19-20> Total number of joints with springs (all joints are at segment ends)

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Pier Ver 2.0.1 2 September 2003
TABLE 5. Release Codes for Supports (number of cards according to Table 4)

Location Release Code

of Support TranslRotation
Joint No.) XYZXYZ
I2 III III

1 10 15 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

Column Description

<9-10> The number of the joint which is a support (See Figure A for joint numbering)

<15-20> Joint release codes for joint J (Enter 1 to fix a support against translation or rotation in
the given direction. See Figure B for orientation of axes)
<15> Translation in the X direction
<16> Translation in the Y direction
<17> Translation in the Z direction
<18> Rotation about the X axis
<19> Rotation about the Y axis
<20> Rotation about the Z axis

TABLE 6. Spring Values (number of cards according to Table 4)

Joint Stiffness of Transl. Spring Stiffness of Rotational Spr.

Numberx direc. y direc. z direc. x direc. y direc. z direc.
2I F10 F10 F10 F10 F10 F10

1 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

Column Description

<9-10> The number of the joint which has springs (See Figure A for joint numbering)

<11-20> Stiffness of X-translation spring

<21-30> Stiffness of Y-translation spring

<31-40> Stiffness of Z-translation spring

<41-50> Stiffness of X-rotational spring

<51-60> Stiffness of Y-rotational spring

<61-70> Stiffness of Z-rotational spring

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Pier Ver 2.0.1 3 September 2003
TABLE 7. Material Properties (one card each problem)

Concrete Steel Concrete Initial Ultimate

Compressive Yield Strength Concrete Steel Concrete Creep
Strength Stress Reduction Modulus Modulus Strain Factor
fc fy Factor Ec Es Eu Beta
F10 F10 F10 F10 F10 F10 F10

1 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

Column Description

<1-10> Compressive cylinder strength of concrete, fc

<11-20> Yield strength of reinforcing steel, fy

<21-30> Strength reduction factor for concrete (i.e., fc=0.85fc), (Normally, 0.85)

<31-40> Initial modulus of concrete, Ec

<41-50> Modulus of reinforcing steel, Es

<51-60> Ultimate strain of concrete, Eu (Normally, 0.0038) If left blank, program assumes:

Eu=1.9(1+)(Strength Reduction Factor)(2fc/Ec)

<61-70> Creep Factor, (See Table B), may be left blank

TABLE 8. Section Card (one card each problem)

Section
Type (Left Status of Status of Fiber Properties
Justified) Concrete Reinf. Steel Print Parameter
A8 I I I

1 8 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

Column Description
<1-8> Type of Section (SOLID, HOLLOW, OVAL, or CIRHOLLO) Left Justified.
(See Figure C)

<20> Status of concrete (0 = unconfined, 1 = confined) To use confined concrete option, user
must ensure enough lateral ties are provided to meet the equivalent of ACI Building
Code 318-83 Appendix A Sec. A.4.4 for compression members.

<30> Status of reinforcing steel (0 = steel fibers generated by program, 1 = input by user)

<40> Print parameter (0 = suppress fiber print out, 1 = full print out)

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Pier Ver 2.0.1 4 September 2003
TABLE 9. Geometry of the Section & TABLE 10. Reinforcing Steel (Repeat Tables 9 and 10 for
the number of section required to define pier geometry, according to Table 2)

TABLE 9.a. For SOLID Section Type

Dimensions Along
Z Axis X Axis
F10 F10

1 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

Column Description

<1-10> Width of Section (dimension along Z axis)

<11-20> Depth of Section (dimension along X axis)

TABLE 9.b. For HOLLOW Section Type (with or without interior walls)

Dimension Thickness Dimension Thickness

Along of Wall Along of Wall
Parallel to Parallel to
Z Axis Z Axis X Axis X Axis
F10 F10 F10 F10

1 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

Column Description

<1-10> Width of section (exterior dimension along Z axis)

<11-20> Thickness of exterior wall which is parallel to the Z axis

<21-30> Depth of section (exterior dimension along X axis)

<31-30> Thickness of exterior wall which is parallel to the X axis

TABLE 9.b.1 Status of Interior Walls

Status Indicator Enter NO if there are no interior walls. If there are interior
(Left Justified) walls, enter YES and use cards 9.b.2 and 9.b.3.
A3

1 3 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

Column Description

<1-4> Interior walls status indicator (YES = Interior walls, NO = No interior walls) If
NO, skip to TABLE 9.c, if YES, fill in 9.b.2 and 9.b.3

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Pier Ver 2.0.1 5 September 2003
TABLE 9.b.2 Description of Interior Walls

Orientation of Number of
interior walls interior walls
(Left Justified) (Max. 5)
A10 I

1 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

Column Description

<1-10> Orientation of interior walls (VERTICAL if the walls are parallel to the X axis,
HORIZONTAL if the walls are parallel to the Z axis), Left justified

<30> Number of interior walls (maximum of 5)

TABLE 9.b.3. Geometry of Interior Walls

Distance Distance Distance Distance
From Wall From Wall From Wall From Wall
Centroid Thickness Centroid Thickness Centroid Thickness Centroid Thickness
F10 F10 F10 F10 F10 F10 F10 F10

1 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

Distance
From Wall
Centroid Thickness If the number of interior walls 4, this 2nd card is not used
F10 F10

1 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

Column Description

<1-10> Interior walls distance from centroid

<11-20> Thickness of interior wall, (Repeat for all interior walls)

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Pier Ver 2.0.1 6 September 2003
TABLE 9.c. For OVAL Section Type (also used for circular sections)

Dimensions Along
Z Axis X Axis
F10 F10

1 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

A solid circular section is a special case of the OVAL section type. It is defined by entering the
diameter of the section as the dimension along the X Axis and the diameter + 0.01 for the Z

Column Description

<1-10> Width of section (dimension along Z axis)

<11-20> Depth of section (dimension along X axis)

TABLE 9.d. For CIRCHOLLO (Circular Hollow) Section Type

Wall Wall thickness must be less than one-half the diameter

Diameter Thickness
F10 F10

1 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

Column Description

<1-10> Exterior diameter of section

<11-20> Thickness of wall section (thickness must be less than the diameter)

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Pier Ver 2.0.1 7 September 2003
TABLE 10.a. Reinforcing Steel Model as Rings (use only if Status of Reinforcing Steel = 0 on
Table 8)

TABLE 10.a.1.

1st Ring 2nd Ring 3rd Ring

Number Area of Steel Area of Steel Area of Steel
of Rings Parallel to Parallel to Parallel to
of Steel Z Axis X Axis Z Axis X Axis Z Axis X Axis
(Max. 3) (STT) (STS) (STT) (STS) (STT) (STS)
I F10 F10 F10 F10 F10 F10

1 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

Column Description

<9-10> Number of rings of steel (at least 1 ring, maximum of 3), rings are symmetric

<11-70> For SOLID, HOLLOW, and OVAL sections, STT and STS are areas of steel per
column face. The total area of steel in the section would be 2 times the sum of STT
and STS. For circular solid (specific case of OVAL) and CIRHOLLO sections STT=0
and STS is one-half the total area of the steel. (See Figure C)

TABLE 10.a.2. Concrete Cover (edge of concrete to center of steel)

1st Ring 2nd Ring 3rd Ring

Cover to Cover to Cover to
STS STT STS STT STS STT
(Gamma Z)(Gamma X)(Gamma Z)(Gamma X)(Gamma Z)(Gamma X)
F10 F10 F10 F10 F10 F10

1 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

Column Description

<1-10> Concrete cover (center of steel to edge of concrete) to STS, Gamma Z (See Figure C)

<11-20> Concrete cover to STT, Gamma X (See Figure C)

Repeat columns 1-20 for each ring, up to three.

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Pier Ver 2.0.1 8 September 2003
TABLE 10.a.3. Steel in Interior Walls (use this card only for HOLLOW sections with interior
walls)

1st Wall 2nd Wall 3rd Wall 4th Wall 5th Wall
F10 F10 F10 F10 F10

1 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

Column Description

<1-10> Area of steel in 1st interior wall (1st as defined in Table 9.b)

<11-20> Area of steel for 2nd interior wall (2nd as defined in Table 9.b)

Repeat for each interior wall, up to 5.

TABLE 10.b. Steel Fibers Input by User (use only if status of reinforcing steel = 1 in TABLE 8)

TABLE 10.b.1.

Number of
Reinforcing Bars
(Max. 200)
I3

1 8 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

Column Description

<8-10> Number of reinforcing bars to be input. Maximum of 200.

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Pier Ver 2.0.1 9 September 2003
TABLE 10.b.2. Area and Location of Reinforcing Bars (use as many cards as necessary to define
all reinforcing bars. There are 2 bar descriptions per card.)

Z Coord. X Coord. Area Z Coord. X Coord. Area

F10 F10 F10 F10 F10 F10

1 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

Column Description

<1-10> Z coordinate of reinforcing bar

<11-20> X coordinate of reinforcing bar

<21-30> Area of reinforcing bar

<31-60> Repeat data above for second bar

Repeat cards using same format until all bars have been defined

TABLE 11. Type of Loading (one card per problem)

Loading
System
Option
I2

1 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

Column Description
<9-10> Enter 0, and the program will analyze the pier without automatically factoring loads or
considering AASHTO group loadings. For this type of Analysis use TABLE 12.C
or
Enter a value equal to the number of AASHTO group loads to be considered (max. 10),
and the program will apply load factors and group the loads according to AASHTO
group loading criteria. (See Figure B) For this type of analysis use TABLE 12.b

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Pier Ver 2.0.1 10 September 2003
TABLE 12.a. Joint Loads (use only if value in TABLE 11. = 0)

TABLE 12.a.1.

Number of Print
Load Cases Parameter
I2 I2

1 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

Column Description

<9-10> Number of load cases for the problem (load cases represent the number of different
load groups; all pier behavior is cumulative from one load case to the next)

<19-20> Print parameter, sets the increment of printed results (Example: Input 5, results will be
printed at every 5th load increment)

TABLE 12.a.2.

Number of Number of
Loaded Joints Load Increments
I2 I2

1 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

Column Description

<9-10> Total number of loaded joints

<19-20> Number of load increments (the number of load increments for the total number of load
cases should not be less than 30 to obtain an accurate solution).

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Pier Ver 2.0.1 11 September 2003
TABLE 12.a.3. (one card for each loaded joint)

Joint Incremental force in the Incremental moment about the

Number X dir. Y dir. Z dir. X Axis Y Axis Z Axis
I2 F10 F10 F10 F10 F10 F10

1 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

The program arrives at its solution by applying incremental loads to the member. For this loading
option, the total design joint loads must be divided by an appropriate number of increments (min. 30).
Since this program is an ultimate design procedure, the load increments should be multiplied by the
appropriate load factors () and divided by the proper strength reduction factors ().

This card may also be used to specify an incremental displacement or rotation of the joint. If the joint
was specified as a support in TABLE 5. and has a 1 specified in the release code for a degree of
freedom, and if a value is input for that degree of freedom, the user is specifying an incremental
displacement or rotation, not a load

Column Description

<9-10> Number of the loaded joint

<11-20> Incremental force in the X direction

<21-30> Incremental force in the Y direction

<31-40> Incremental force in the Z direction

<41-50> Incremental moment about the X axis

<51-60> Incremental moment about the Y axis

<61-70> Incremental moment about the Z axis

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Pier Ver 2.0.1 12 September 2003
TABLE 12.b. Joint Loads (use only if value in TABLE 11. > 0)

TABLE 12.b.1. Load Description

Print Number of AAHSTO Load factor Design Group Combination
Parameter Load Types 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th
I2 I2 I2 I2 I2 I2 I2 I2

1 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

Column Description

<9-10> Printer parameter, sets the increment of printed results (Example: Input 5, results will
be printed at ever 5th increment)

<19-20> Number of different load types to be input (D, L, ICE, etc.) (maximum of 14)

<29-30> Identification of the AASHTO load factor design group combination to be considered
first (see Table B)

<39-40> Identification of the AASHTO load factor design group combination to be considered
second

Repeat until all load factor design group combinations have been completed. If there
are more than six continue on the next card starting in columns 9-10, 19-20, etc.

TABLE 12.b.2. Type of Load (Repeat cards 12.b.2 and 12.b.3 for each load type)

Load Number of
Type Loaded Joints
I2 I2

1 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

Column Description

<9-10> Load type, see Table B (Example: load type for ICE load is 14)

<19-20> Number of total loaded joints (Example: all joints where ICE load would act)

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Pier Ver 2.0.1 13 September 2003
TABLE 12.b.3. Loads(Repeat cards 12.b.2 and 12.b.3 for each load type) (One card for each loaded
joint)

Joint Total Unfactored Force in theTotal Unfactored Moment About

Number X dir. Y dir. Z dir. X Axis Y Axis Z Axis
I2 F10 F10 F10 F10 F10 F10

1 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

The program arrives at its solution by applying incremental loads to the member. For this loading
option, enter the total unfactored design loads. The program will then automatically divide these
loads by 50 to establish the load increment. The program will then automatically divide these by the
load factors indicated in Table B, however the user must divide the design loads by the appropriate
strength reduction factors ().

In the AASHTO Load Group option, specified displacements or rotations are not directly permitted.
To achieve specified displacements the user must input an equivalent static force system that produces
the desired displacements.

Column Description

<9-10> Number of the loaded joint

<11-20> Total unfactored force in the X direction corresponding to load type (load type
indicated on previous card)

<21-30> Total unfactored force in the Y direction corresponding to load type

<31-40> Total unfactored force in the Z direction corresponding to load type

<41-50> Total unfactored moment about the X axis corresponding to load type

<51-60> Total unfactored moment about the Y axis corresponding to load type

<61-70> Total unfactored moment about the Z axis corresponding to load type

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Pier Ver 2.0.1 14 September 2003
Figure A - Numbering of Segments and Joints

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Pier Ver 2.0.1 15 September 2003
Figure B - Location of Axes for Section Properties

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Pier Ver 2.0.1 16 September 2003
Figure C - Section Characteristics

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Pier Ver 2.0.1 17 September 2003
Figure D - Positive Convention of Forces

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Pier Ver 2.0.1 18 September 2003
 Table A Creep Factor,

Time
(days) *
7 0.88
30 1.46
60 1.75
90 1.92
120 2.04
150 2.13
180 2.21
365 (1 year) 2.5
548 2.68
730 (2 y) 2.8
1095 3.91
1460 (4 y) 4.04
1825 (5 y) 4.11
2190 (6 y) 4.17
2555 (7 y) 4.21
2920 (8 y) 4.24
3285 (9 y) 4.27
3650 (10 y) 4.3
5475 (15 y) 4.39
7300 (20 y) 4.45
9125 (25 y) 4.49
10950 (30 y) 4.53

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Pier Ver 2.0.1 19 September 2003
Pier 2.0.1
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Table B - Load Groups and Types of Load

AASHTO PROG
Load Type 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

Loading Group D* D* L+I CF E* E* B SF W WL LF R+S+T EQ ICE

Program AASHTO Values
1 I d=1.0 d=0.75 1.67 1 1.3 0.5 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.3
2 IA d=1.0 d=0.75 2.2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.3
3 II d=1.0 d=0.75 0 0 1.3 0.5 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1.3
4 III d=1.0 d=0.75 1 1 1.3 0.5 1 1 0.3 1 1 0 0 0 1.3
5 IV d=1.0 d=0.75 1 1 1.3 0.5 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 1.3
6 V d=1.0 d=0.75 0 0 1.3 0.5 1 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 1.25
7 VI d=1.0 d=0.75 1 1 1.3 0.5 1 1 0.3 1 1 1 0 0 1.25
8 VII d=1.0 d=0.75 0 0 1.3 0.5 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1.3
9 VIII d=1.0 d=0.75 1 1 1.3 0.5 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1.3
20

10 IX d=1.0 d=0.75 0 0 1.3 0.5 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1.2

D = Dead load W = Wind Load on Structure CF = Centrifugal Force

L = Live Load WL = Wind Load on Live Load R = Rib Shortening
I = Live Load Impact (100 lbs per linear ft) S = Shrinkage
E = Earth Pressure (1458 N/m) T = Temperature
B = Buoyancy LF = Longitudinal Force From EQ = Earthquake
Live Load SF = Stream Flow Pressure
ICE = Ice Pressure

*See AASHTO manual section 1.2.22;

only 1 value of deal load and 1 value of earth
pressure may be used per problem
September 2003
 References

1. Poston, R. W., Diaz, M., Breen, J. E., and Roesset, J. M., Design of Slender, Nonprismatic, and
Hollow Concrete Bridge Piers Research Report 254-2F, Project 3-5-7-79-254, Center for
Transportation Research, Bureau of Engineering Research, The University of Texas at Austin,
April 1983.

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Pier Ver 2.0.1 21 September 2003