The fixed pier of continuous bridges almost bear all the longitudinal seismic load under strong earthquakes,which can cause the damage of the fixed pier and the expansion joint prone to damage and even result into falling beam.In order to solve the shortcoming of the continuous bridges,one idea using anti seismic potential of sliding piers to bear the longitudinal seismic force together with fixed pier was put forward.The locking dowel was designed to be installed between the sliding piers and beams，which would restrict the relatively displacement between the sliding piers and beams under strong earthquakes and help the piers to collaboratively bear the longitudinal seismic force,then reduce the seismic response of continuous bridges.The structural form and working principle were introduced.Mechanical model and the corresponding numerical simulation method were proposed.Based on the numerical simulation method,a seven span continuous bridge was used to an example and the finite element model of the bridge was established,then the performance of seismic damping and parameters impacts on it were analyzed.Results indicated that the seismic performance of continuous bridge can be significantly improved by setting the locking dowel between its main beam and sliding piers.Besides,the damping effect of the device was getting more better with the connection stiffness increased,but the damping effect of the device was not more change with the recovery coefficient of pounding.
