Use of rubberised backfills for improving the seismic response of integral abutment bridges

Reuse of the 1.5 billion waste tyres that are produced annually is a one of the major worldwide challenges, as waste tyres are toxic and cause pollution to the environment. In recognition of this problem, this paper introduces the reuse of tyres, in the form of derived aggregates in mixtures with granulated soil materials, as previous studies indicated the potential benefits of these materials in the seismic performance of structures. The objective of the present research study is to investigate whether use of rubberised backfills benefits the seismic response of Integral Abutment Bridges (IABs) by enhancing soil-structure interaction (SSI) effects. Numerical models including typical integral abutments on surface foundation with nonlinear conventional backfill material and its alternative form as soil-rubber mixtures are analysed and their response parameters are compared. The research is conducted on the basis of parametric analysis, which aims to evaluate the influence of different rubber-soil mixtures on the dynamic response of the abutment-backfill system under various seismic excitations, accounting for dynamic soil-abutment interaction. The results provide evidence that the use of rubberised backfill leads to reductions in the backfill settlements, the horizontal displacements of the bridge deck, the residual horizontal displacements of the top of the abutment and the pressures acting on the abutment, up to 55, 18, 43 and 47 % respectively, with respect to a conventional backfill comprising of clean sand. Small change in bending moments and shear forces on the abutment wall is also observed. Therefore, rubberised backfills offer promising solution to mitigate the earthquake risk, towards economic design with minimal damage objectives for the resilience of transportation networks.     

结构参数对高低墩刚构连续梁桥体系地震响应的影响

地震作用下,相邻主梁间的碰撞会改变桥台-引桥-刚构连续梁桥结构体系的动力响应。为了探究主桥结构形式、墩高、引桥跨数和伸缩缝间距等结构参数对伸缩缝处碰撞效应和桥梁结构地震响应的影响,以某实际桥梁为背景,考虑碰撞能量耗散、桩土相互作用、桥台与台后填土相互作用以及支座和桥墩的非线性行为,采用CSIBridge建立桥台-引桥-刚构连续梁桥结构体系的有限元模型进行碰撞弹塑性动力分析。研究结果表明：不同主桥结构形式的主桥墩受力区别较大,相邻主桥墩高差较大时,选择连续梁桥结构体系更加合理。墩高增加使主引桥间动力差异增大,碰撞效应更加显著,仅对刚构墩受力影响较大。引桥跨数增多和伸缩缝间距增大分别使伸缩缝处碰撞效应增大和减小,碰撞抑制作用的增强和减弱也使得刚构墩内力和变形分别减小和增大,但对于其他桥墩基本无影响。     

整体式桥梁动力特性及抗震性能研究

为深入了解整体式桥梁的动力特性和抗震性能,建立台-土有限元模型,并提出合理的台-土相互作用数学模型,然后利用Midas Civil整体模型研究台-土相互作用、桩-土相互作用、桥墩构造等因素对整体式桥梁抗震性能的影响。结果表明：与简支梁相比,同等跨度下整体式桥梁的纵向刚度明显提高,但横向刚度差距不大;台后土的约束刚度大小对桥梁的静动力特性不产生明显影响,整体式桥梁根据我国现有规范计算台后地震力相对保守;改变桩-土约束刚度对整体式桥梁的抗震性能影响不大;提高桥墩的横向刚度,将独柱墩改为双柱墩能大幅提高结构抗震性能。研究结论及台后土压力系数的计算方式,可供整体式桥梁抗震计算提供参考。     

Evaluation of vertical impact factor coefficients for continuous and integral railway bridges under high-speed moving loads

In the railway bridge analysis and design method,dynamic train loads are regarded as static loads enhanced by an impact factor(IF).The IF coefficients for various railway bridges have been reported as a function of span length or frequency of the bridges in Eurocode(2003).However,these IF coefficient values neglect the effects of very high speeds(>200 km/h)and soil-structure interaction(SSI).In this work,a comprehensive study to assess the impact factor coefficients of mid-span vertical displacements for continuous and integral railway bridges subjected to high-speed moving loads is reported.Three different configurations,each for the three-dimensional(3D)continuous and integral bridge,are considered.Also,single-track(1-T)and two-track(2-T)“real train”loading cases for both these bridge types are considered.Subsequently,finite element analysis of the full-scale 3D bridge models,to identify their IF values,considering the effects of SSI for three different soil conditions,is conducted.The IF values obtained from the study for both bridge types are comparable and are greater than the values recommended by Eurocode(2003).The results reveal that with a loss of soil stiffness,the IF value reduces;thus,it confirms the importance of SSI analysis.     

Effect of abutment modeling on the seismic response of bridge structures

Abutment behavior significantly influences the seismic response of certain bridge structures. Specifically in the case of short bridges with relatively stiff superstructures typical of highway overpasses, embankment mobilization and inelastic behavior of the soil material under high shear deformation levels dominate the response of the bridge and its column bents. This paper investigates the sensitivity of bridge seismic response with respect to three different abutment modeling approaches. The abutment modeling approaches are based on three increasing levels of complexity that attempt to capture the critical components and modes of abutment response without the need to generate continuum models of the embankment, approach, and abutment foundations. Six existing reinforced concrete bridge structures, typical of Ordinary Bridges in California, are selected for the analysis. Nonlinear models of the bridges are developed in OpenSees. Three abutment model types of increasing complexity are developed for each bridge, denoted as roller, simplified, and spring abutments. The roller model contains only single-point constraints. The spring model contains discrete representations of backfill, bearing pad, shear key, and back wall behavior. The simplified model is a compromise between the efficient roller model and the comprehensive spring model. Modal, pushover, and nonlinear dynamic time history analyses are conducted for the six bridges using the three abutment models for each bridge. Comparisons of the analysis results show major differences in mode shapes and periods, ultimate base shear strength, as well as peak displacements of the column top obtained due to dynamic excitation. The adequacy of the three abutment models used in the study to realistically represent all major resistance mechanisms and components of the abutments, including an accurate estimation of their mass, stiffness, and nonlinear hysteretic behavior, is evaluated. Recommendations for abutment modeling are made.     

无缝桥抗震性能的对比研究

本文以一座三跨总长60 m的整体桥为案例桥,分别试设计了同跨径的半整体桥、延伸桥面板桥和常规连续梁桥。通过Midas/Civil软件建立四种桥型的有限元模型,并对其进行了E1和E2反应谱分析和时程分析,对比了四种桥型的结构反应峰值（墩顶位移、桥墩及桩基剪力与弯矩、台底位移、桥台桩基剪力与弯矩）。计算结果表明:当桥梁存在15°的斜交角,整体桥、半整体桥在地震动沿平行于桥台长边方向及其垂直方向输入时更不利,而延伸桥面板桥和常规连续梁桥在地震动沿顺桥向和横桥向输入时更不利。四种桥型在地震作用下:整体桥抗震性能最优异,但其台底位移、桥台桩基的剪力和弯矩最大;半整体桥台底位移、桥台桩基的剪力和弯矩最小,其墩顶位移、桥墩及桩基的剪力和弯矩仅比整体桥大;延伸桥面板桥和常规连续梁桥的墩-梁相对位移远大于整体桥和半整体桥,不适用于地震基本烈度高的区域。     

Backbone curves with physical parameters for passive lateral response of homogeneous abutment backfills

Recent advances in performance-based seismic assessment and design of bridges call for the development of computationally efficient models with high fidelity for nonlinear static pushover and transient dynamic analyses. Response models of bridge abutment systems are significant ingredients of such analyses. Herein, we present closed-form relationships for lateral response of abutment backwalls with uniform backfills. These relationships are obtained by performing extensive parametric studies with a previously validated limit-equilibrium model coupled with hyperbolic soil stress–strain relations. The resulting “Generalized Hyperbolic Force–Displacement (GHFD)” backbone curve has explicit dependencies on the physical properties of the abutment system, including the backwall height. All input parameters to the GHFD relationships are measurable via standard geotechnical laboratory tests. We also perform a validation study using published measurements from several field and laboratory experiments. The GHFD equations are in closed form and can easily be implemented in a structural analysis package as a nonlinear spring that accounts for the bridge abutment–backfill interaction.     

强震作用下桥台对斜交连续梁桥抗震性能的影响研究

为研究强地震作用下,桥台及台后土体对斜交连续梁桥抗震作用的影响。以一座三跨连续斜交箱梁桥为依托,应用sap2000建立不同斜度的模型,针对有、无桥台两种工况,采用非线性时程分析方法,研究了纵向不同地震动强度输入下,桥台及台后土体作用对不同斜度的连续梁桥主梁和桥墩位移的影响规律,并对桥墩的延性性能进行分析。研究结果表明:桥台及台后土体的存在会抑制主梁的纵向位移,大大增加主梁梁端的横向位移,地震动幅值越大,这种作用越明显;桥台及台后土体作用会减小墩顶纵向位移和墩底纵向弯矩,降低桥墩纵向位移延性需求,提高桥墩纵向安全性,斜交角越大,该影响效果越小;桥台作用对桥墩的横向反应几乎无影响。建议在桥梁抗震设计时应考虑桥台以及台后土体的作用,并针对不同斜度的连续梁桥采取相应的抗震措施,以提高其抗震性能。     

Seismic behavior of a post-tensioned integral bridge including soil–structure interaction (SSI)

Current practice usually pays little attention to the effect of soil–structure interaction (SSI) on seismic analysis and design of bridges. The objective of this research study is to assess the significance of SSI on the modal with geometric stiffness and seismic response of a bridge with integral abutments that has been constructed using a new bridge system technology. Emphasis is placed on integral abutment behavior, since abutments together with piers are the most critical elements in securing the integrity of bridge superstructures during earthquakes. Comparison is made between analytical results and field measurements in order to establish the accuracy of the superstructure–abutment model. Sensitivity studies are conducted to investigate the effects of foundation stiffness on the overall dynamic and seismic response of the new bridge system.     

Forces acting on bridge abutments over liquefied ground

Large earthquake-induced displacements of a bridge abutment can occur, when the bridge is built on a floodplain or reclaimed area, i.e., liquefiable ground, and crosses a water channel. Seismic responses of a bridge abutment on liquefiable ground are the consequence of complex interactions between the abutment and surrounding soils. Therefore identification of the factors dominating the abutment response is important for the development of simplified seismic design methods. This paper presents the results of dynamic three-dimensional finite element analyses of bridge abutments adjacent to a river dike, including the effect of liquefaction of the underlying ground using earthquake motions widely used in Japan. The analysis shows that conventional design methods may underestimate the permanent abutment displacements unless the following two items are considered: (1) softening of the soil beneath the liquefiable layer, due to cyclic shearing of the soil surrounding the piles, and (2) the forces acting on the side faces of the abutment.     

Analytical investigation of bidirectional ductile diaphragms in multi-span bridges

In the AASHTO Guide Specifications for Seismic Bridge Design Provisions,ductile diaphragms are identified as Permissible Earthquake-Resisting Elements(EREs),designed to help resist seismic loads applied in the transverse direction of bridges.When adding longitudinal ductile diaphragms,a bidirectional ductile diaphragm system is created that can address seismic excitations acting along both the bridge’s longitudinal and transverse axes.This paper investigates bidirectional ductile diaphragms with Buckling Restrained Braces(BRBs)in straight multi-span bridge with simply supported floating spans.The flexibility of the substructures in the transverse and longitudinal direction of the bridge is considered.Design procedures for the bidirectional ductile diaphragms are first proposed.An analytical model of the example bridge with bidirectional ductile diaphragms,designed based on the proposed methodology,is then built in SAP2000.Pushover and nonlinear time history analyses are performed on the bridge model,and corresponding results are presented.The effect of changing the longitudinal stiffness of the bidirectional ductile diaphragms in the end spans connecting to the abutment is also investigated,in order to better understand the impact on the bridge’s dynamic performance.     

无伸缩缝桥梁的动力特性计算与试验研究

福建省永春县上坂大桥是目前我国修建桥长最大，采用整体式桥台的无伸缩缝桥梁。本文通过该桥的动力试验研究了该桥在天然脉动荷载作用下的自振特性，采用结构分析软件ANSYS建立全桥的空间模型，计算该桥的自振特性，与实测结果进行了分析比较。实桥试验还测试了无障碍行车试验和跳车试验这2种车辆激振作用下桥梁的强迫振动特性，并把实测的荷载冲击系数与新桥规的计算结果进行比较。研究结果有助于对该类桥梁动力特性的认识，有利于进一步开展无伸缩缝桥梁的抗震性能研究。     

Performance-based seismic design of integral abutment bridges

Integral abutment bridges (IAB) are experiencing increasing diffusion in the short to mid-range lengths, where they offer some advantages over traditional girder bridges with non-monolithic connection at the abutments. One challenging problem with their analysis and design is that consideration of the interaction between foundation soil, structure and backfill is unavoidable, also for the deck design. Further, the end of the construction is only one of the conditions that need to be verified during design. Cyclic deformations, such as those occurring during ground shaking, typically lead to an increase in stresses in the abutments and connections, due to progressive compaction (ratcheting) of the backfill soil. This problem is magnified when the bridge is comprised between two embankments, whose response may amplify the input motion and drive the deformation of the bridge. Performance-based design aims at superseding current design procedures by explicitly checking that the target performances set out are achieved, and not overly exceeded. Such a design paradigm naturally calls, on the one hand, for improved accuracy in response determination and more refined analyses, and, on the other, for taking into account the uncertainties entering into the problem by means of an explicitly probabilistic approach. With this objective in mind, the paper presents an inelastic dynamic model for the seismic analysis and design of IABs. The model, that features a balanced compromise between the setup and evaluation effort on one hand, and accuracy on the other, has been developed for implementation in typical commercial analysis packages. It builds on 1D site-response analysis and on inelastic Winkler-like modeling, to reproduce the main physical aspects of the seismic response of IABs. One example application to a highway overpass in Italy illustrates the model and the relevance of a fully probabilistic approach to performance-based design. The application offers also important insight into the choice of an efficient intensity measure for this type of structure.     

Development of fragility functions for geotechnical constructions: Application to cantilever retaining walls

Fragility curves constitute an emerging tool for the seismic risk assessment of all constructions at risk. They describe the probability of a structure being damaged beyond a specific damage state for various levels of ground shaking. They are usually represented as two-parameter (median and log-standard deviation) cumulative lognormal distributions. In this paper a numerical approach is proposed for the construction of fragility curves for geotechnical constructions. The methodology is applied to cantilever bridge abutments on surface foundation often used in road and railway networks. The response of the abutment to increasing levels of seismic intensity is evaluated using a 2D nonlinear FE model, with an elasto-plastic criterion to simulate the soil behavior. A calibration procedure is followed in order to account for the dependency of both the stiffness and the damping on the soil strain level. The effect of soil conditions and ground motion characteristics on the global soil and structural response is taken into account considering different typical soil profiles and seismic input motions. The objective is to assess the vulnerability of the road network as regards the performance of the bridge abutments; therefore, the level of damage, is described in terms of the range of settlement that is observed on the backfill. The effect of backfill material to the overall response of the abutment wall is also examined. The fragility curves are estimated based on the evolution of damage with increasing earthquake intensity. The proposed approach allows the evaluation of new fragility curves considering the distinctive features of the structure geometry, the input motion and the soil properties as well as the associated uncertainties. The proposed fragility curves are verified based on observed damage during the 2007 Niigata-Chuetsu Oki earthquake.     

Analytical fragility analysis of southern Illinois wall pier supported highway bridges

An analytical fragility analysis was conducted in order to characterize the seismic vulnerability of existing southern Illinois wall pier supported highway bridges to potential earthquakes. To perform this fragility analysis, a detailed inventory survey was first taken of the wall pier bridges identified in an earlier random sampling of southern Illinois priority emergency route bridges. From the survey three types of wall pier bridges were identified. Of those identified, hammerhead and regular wall pier supported bridges represented nearly 90% of the population. Incorporating structural variations determined from the random sample survey, nearly 100 three‐dimensional nonlinear finite element models were constructed. Each model was subjected to a randomly assigned synthetic earthquake representative of those that could potentially occur within the region. From these analyses, a series of wall pier supported bridge fragility curves were produced. In addition, a liquefaction fragility analysis was conducted in order to characterize the seismic vulnerability of southern Illinois wall pier supported highway bridge sites to liquefaction in potential earthquakes. To perform this second fragility analysis, wall pier bridges within the southern Illinois random sample that may be susceptible to liquefaction were identified. A soil profile from each of these susceptible bridge sites was then subjected to randomly assigned bedrock motions, and an Arias intensity liquefaction analysis was carried out. From these analyses, a fragility curve for the potentially liquefiable wall pier supported bridge sites was produced. Overall results of this study indicate that southern Illinois wall pier supported bridges are moderately vulnerable to structural damage in a 2% probability of exceedance in 50 year earthquake, and in some cases they could also be highly vulnerable to on‐site liquefaction events. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Development and modeling of a frictional wall damper and its applications in reinforced concrete frame structures

A wall‐type friction damper is newly proposed in this paper to improve the performance of reinforced concrete (RC) framed structures under earthquake loads. Traditionally, the damper was generally invented as a brace‐type member. However, it has been seen to cause problems in the RC frame structures in that concrete is apt to be damaged in the connection regions of the RC member and the brace‐type damper under earthquake loads. The proposed wall‐type damper has an advantage in the retrofit of RC structures. The system consists of a Teflon® slider and a RC wall. The damper is also designed to control normal pressures acting on a frictional slider. The numerical applications show that the proposed damper can be effective in mitigating the seismic responses of RC frame structures and reducing the damage to RC structural members. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Dynamics and seismic performance of rocking bridges accounting for the abutment-backfill contribution

The present study explores analytically the concept of rocking isolation in bridges considering for the first time the influence of the abutment-backfill system. The dynamic response of rocking bridges with free-standing piers of same height and same section is examined assuming negligible deformation for the substructure and the superstructure. New relationships for the prediction of the bridge rocking motion are derived, including the equation of motion and the restitution coefficient at each impact at the rocking interfaces. The bridge structure is found to be susceptible to a failure mode related to the failure of the abutment-backfill system, which can occur prior to the well-known overturning of the rocking piers. Thus, a new failure spectrum is proposed called Failure Minimum Acceleration Spectrum (FMAS) which extends the overturning spectrum put forward in previous studies, and it differs in principle from the latter. The comparison with the dynamic response of bridges modelled as rocking frames without abutments reveals not only that seat-type abutments and their backfill have a generally beneficial effect on the seismic performance of rocking pier bridges by suppressing the free rocking motion of the frame system, but also that the simple frame model cannot capture all salient features of the rocking bridge response as it misses potential failure modes, overestimating the rocking bridge's safety when these modes are critical.     

Assessment and modeling of embankment participation in the seismic response of integral abutment bridges

The dynamic response and seismic performance of bridges may be appreciably affected by numerous contributing factors, with soil–structure interaction being the dominant exogenous influence. The most familiar form is the so-called soil–pile interaction, but embankment–abutment interaction is also documented through field observations and analytical investigations, particularly evident in integral R.C. bridges. Recent studies have shown that this form of interaction may significantly alter the bridge response and should be taken into account during design and assessment, especially in the case of typical highway overcrossings that have abutments supported on earth embankments. In light of this emerging problem and in order to facilitate quantitative estimates of the interaction effects, the question of appropriate modeling and seismic assessment of R.C. integral bridges is the main object of the present paper. Based on already established procedures to account for soil–structure interaction, a new approach is proposed to model the contribution of the embankment, the bent and the abutments to the overall bridge response. Furthermore, the capacity curve of the entire bridge system is evaluated through the implementation of Incremental Dynamic Analysis (IDA), therefore allowing for seismic assessment of the complex superstructure–foundation system with well established displacement based procedures. Using as a benchmark case two typical instrumented U.S. highway bridges located in California, the proposed method is implemented and provided results from this analysis are correlated successfully with available field data. Results obtained from the analysis indicate excessive displacement demands for the entire bridge–embankment system owing to the embankment contribution and the soil degradation under increasing shear strains. Furthermore, seismic performance is strongly related to the central bent deformation capacity, with soil–pile interaction effects being of critical importance.     

Seismic analysis of a curved bridge considering deck‐abutment pounding interaction: an analytical investigation on the post‐impact response

Horizontal curved bridges are very common at intersections and at the changing angle of bridge alignment. Almost in every previous earthquake report, it can be seen that the columns of a curved segment experience torsional damage, and the curved decks are unseated from the abutment support. The main reason behind that phenomenon is the in‐plane deck rotation which results because of the complex dynamic coupling between two longitudinal directional vibrations. The curved decks are susceptible to deck rotation because in a curved segment, the centre of mass and the centre of stiffness generally lie outside the bridge deck and are not located at the same point. The pounding with the abutment often increases the rotational tendency of the deck. In this paper, a classical mechanics‐based approach is adopted to analytically estimate the deck rotation potential of curved bridge considering the deck‐abutment pounding interaction. The deck‐abutment pounding is modelled using non‐smooth techniques considering the Newton's impact law in the normal and Coulomb's friction in the tangential direction. Within the scope of this paper, a parametric study is performed to get the ideal combination of the column and bent arrangement and the gap distance. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Seismic fragility assessment of integral precast multi-span bridges in areas of moderate seismicity

In lack of seismic provisions in the pre-Eurocode ages, most of the existing Hungarian bridges were not designed for seismic actions, therefore their seismic performance is questionable. The most commonly used structural type in highway construction is the integral precast multi-girder bridge. These bridges are typically constructed as continuous multi-support systems with monolithic joints at each support, thus their behavior may be significantly different from those applying simply supported beams and conventional bearings. A parametric fragility analysis of a wide range of different layouts is carried out using detailed and advanced non-linear numerical models. The results indicate that the abutment joints are highly vulnerable and piers are also critical for longer bridges. The study implies that without seismic design, integral precast multi-girder bridges are highly susceptible to pier shear failure, the probability of collapse is relatively high. The results also provide a solid basis for retrofit planning as well as for development of design concepts of newly built structures in moderate seismic zones.