###### Abstract  
Given that the existing drainage strengthening methods for underwater damaged piers are expensive, inefficient, and cause shipping traffic disruptions, an urgent need exists to explore undrained strengthening methods, such as the precast concrete segment assembly method (PCSAM). However, the PCSAM has certain limitations, including a considerable strength loss of filled concrete, poor accuracy, poor connection performance of the segment sleeves, etc. Hence, this study developed an improved PCSAM (IPCSAM) by adopting self-stressed anti-washout concrete (SSAWC) as the filling material and developing a lining concrete segment sleeve (LCSS) based on the design principle of shield tunnel lining segments. Subsequently, the seismic performance of the strengthened piers was investigated. First, nine 1/5-scale pier column specimens were designed by considering different influencing factors: the self-stress of the SSAWC, LCSS reinforcement ratio, and initial damage and length-diameter ratio of the pier column. These specimens were tested under low reversed cyclic loading. Second, an extended parameter analysis was performed based on the established numerical models consistent with the quasi-static test's parameter settings. Finally, a restoring force model of the strengthened piers, including the trilinear skeleton curve model and hysteresis curve model, was established based on the results of the quasi-static test and parameter analysis. The results indicated that the bearing capacity, ductility, and initial stiffness of the specimens strengthened using the IPCSAM increased by approximately 83.5-106.4%, 16.3-50.2%, and 83.9-177.3%, respectively, with the energy dissipation capacity also significantly improved. The self-stress of the SSAWC should not exceed 2.2 MPa, and the recommended ratio of the LCSS thickness to pier column diameter is 1/10. Additionally, the proposed restoring force model is highly accurate and applicable, able to provide a reference for the practical seismic strengthening design of piers. underwater concrete pier; seismic performance; self-stressed anti-washout concrete; segment assembly; undrained strengthening; quasi-static test +
Footnote †: journal: Applied Sciences  
wrapping [10; 11; 12; 13], wire wrapping [14], and extraneous prestressed strengthening [15; 16; 17; 18]. Although these techniques have well-established design theories and excellent strengthening effects, they are expensive, inefficient, and cause shipping traffic disruptions due to the unavoidable construction of cofferdams for drainage before the strengthening work is implemented [2]. Consequently, undrained seismic strengthening methods have attracted increased interest over the past decade. Recently, undrained seismic strengthening methods, including the jacket method [19; 20], FRP underwater strengthening method [21; 22; 23; 24], and precast concrete segment assembly method (PCSAM) [23], have been proposed and applied in practical engineering. Due to the omission of the water draining process, these methods are more economical, efficient, and shipping traffic-friendly. However, specific challenges remain. For instance, in the jacket method, glass fiber sleeves are used to wrap piers to improve their durability; however, this limits improvements in the mechanical properties of underwater piers and can cause strengthening failure when used to wrap piers in deep water [23]. In the FRP underwater strengthening method, the resin adhesive for bonding the FRP can degrade after immersion in water for a long time, leading to bond failure at the interface between the FRP and components [22].