Fuzzy approach in the three-dimensional non linear analysis of reinforced concrete two-blade slender bridge piers

A modern conceptual design of a bridge structure should be open to wider criteria, which assure that the structure is endowed with static, dynamic and ductile characteristics sufficient to tackle the seismic events. For the satisfaction of these requirements and for the exploration and the verification of innovative structural schemes, one must consider refined and subtle analysis formulations and tools. Such a kind of structural scheme is based on the two-blade slender bridge piers. These are elements subdivided into two parts with different geometric and mechanical properties. The first part has a box section, highly stiff; two flexible blades connected to the top compose the second part. Due to the uncertainties involved in the problem, the geometrical and mechanical properties that define the structural problem cannot be considered as deterministic quantities. In this work such uncertainties are modeled by using a fuzzy criterion.