In order to examine the effect of link beams on the seismic responses of a continuous rigid frame bridge with slender double-wall piers

a three dimensional nonlinear fiber model was established on the basis of the OpenSEES software.Time history analytical method was applied to comparatively investigate the following four cases

i.e.bridge models.The results show that the link beams play an important role in affecting the dynamic characteristics of the bridge.The fundamental period of the bridge with stronger link beams can be 2times larger than that of the bridge without stronger unit beams.With stronger link beams

the increase of shear forces become more significant

and the longitudinal curvature and moment responses vary more drastically in the vicinity of the link beams.With stronger link beams

the displacement response along the pier remains in a linear shape with the maximum value at the top

which increases the deformation requirements for the bearings at the abutments.From both aspects of seismic internal force and displacement responses

it is more appropriate to design weak link beams.