Effects of structural characterizations on fragility functions of bridges subject to seismic shaking and lateral spreading

This paper evaluates the seismic vulnerability of different classes of typical bridges in California when subjected to seismic shaking or liquefaction-induced lateral spreading. The detailed structural configurations in terms of superstructure type, connection, continuity at support and foundation type, etc. render different damage resistant capability. Six classes of bridges are established based on their anticipated failure mechanisms under earthquake shaking. The numerical models that are capable of simulating the complex soil-structure interaction effects, nonlinear behavior of columns and connections are developed for each bridge class. The dynamic responses are obtained using nonlinear time history analyses for a suite of 250 earthquake motions with increasing intensity. An equivalent static analysis procedure is also implemented to evaluate the vulnerability of the bridges when subjected to liquefaction-induced lateral spreading. Fragility functions for each bridge class are derived and compared for both seismic shaking （based on nonlinear dynamic analyses） and lateral spreading （based on equivalent static analyses） for different performance states. The study finds that the fragility functions due to either ground shaking or lateral spreading show significant correlation with the structural characterizations, but differences emerge for ground shaking and lateral spreading conditions. Structural properties that will mostly affect the bridges＇ damage resistant capacity are also identified.     

A comparative study between China and U.S. on seismic design philosophy and practice of a long span arch bridge

This paper presents the first of a series of case studies on the seismic design of long span bridges （cable-stayed bridges, suspension bridges and arch bridges） under a cooperative research project on seismic behavior and design of highway bridges between the State Key Laboratory for Disaster Reduction in Civil Engineering, Tongji University and the Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering Research, University at Buffalo. The objective of this series of case studies is to examine the differences and similarities on the seismic design practice of long span bridges in China and the U.S., to identify research needs and to develop design guidelines beneficial to bridge engineers in both countries. Unlike short to medium span bridges, long span bridges are not included in most seismic design specifications, mainly because they are location dependent and structurally unique. In this paper, an available model of a steel tied half through arch bridge with a main span of 550m in China is discussed. Analysis is focused on comparisons of the seismic responses due to different ground motions. Seismic design criteria and seismic performance requirements for long span bridges in both countries were first introduced and compared, and then three near field earthquake records with large vertical components were selected as the excitations to examine the seismic behavior and seismic vulnerability of the bridge. Results show that （1） the selected near field ground motions cause larger responses to key components （critical sections） of the bridge （such as arch rib ends） with a maximum increase of more than twice those caused by the site specific ground motions; （2） piers, longitudinal girders and arch crowns are more vulnerable to vertical motions, especially their axial forces; and （3） large vertical components of near field ground motions may not significantly affect the bridge＇s internal forces provided that their peak acceleration spectra ordinates only appear at periods of less than 0.2s. However, they may have more influence on the longitudinal displacements of sliding bearings due to their large displacement spectra ordinates at the fundamental period of the bridge.     

A simplified fragility analysis of fan type cable stayed bridges

A simplified fragility analysis of fan type cable stayed bridges using Probabilistic Risk Analysis (PRA) procedure is presented for determining their failure probability under random ground motion. Seismic input to the bridge support is considered to be a risk consistent response spectrum which is obtained from a separate analysis. For the response analysis, the bridge deck is modeled as a beam supported on springs at different points. The stiffnesses of the springs are determined by a separate 2D static analysis of cable-tower-deck system. The analysis provides a coupled stiffness matrix for the spring system. A continuum method of analysis using dynamic stiffness is used to determine the dynamic properties of the bridges .The response of the bridge deck is obtained by the response spectrum method of analysis as applied to multidegree of freedom system which duly takes into account the quasi - static component of bridge deck vibration. The fragility analysis includes uncertainties arising due to the variation in ground motion, material property, modeling, method of analysis, ductility factor and damage concentration effect. Probability of failure of the bridge deck is determined by the First Order Second Moment (FOSM) method of reliability. A three span double plane symmetrical fan type cable stayed bridge of total span 689 m, is used as an illustrative example. The fragility curves for the bridge deck failure are obtained under a number of parametric variations. Some of the important conclusions of the study indicate that (i) not only vertical component but also the horizontal component of ground motion has considerable effect on the probability of failure; (ii) ground motion with no time lag between support excitations provides a smaller probability of failure as compared to ground motion with very large time lag between support excitation; and (iii) probability of failure may considerably increase for soft soil condition.     

Traveling wave effect on the seismic response of a steel arch bridge subjected to near fault ground motions

In the 1990s, several major earthquakes occurred throughout the world, with a common observation that near fault ground motion (NFGM) characteristics had a distinct impact on causing damage to civil engineering structures that could not be predicted by using far field ground motions. Since then, seismic responses of structures under NFGMs have been extensively examined, with most of the studies focusing on structures with relatively short fundamental periods, where the traveling wave effect does not need to be considered. However, for long span bridges, especially arch bridges, the traveling wave (only time delay considered) effect may be very distinct and is therefore important. In this paper, the results from a case study on the seismic response of a steel arch bridge under selected NFGMs is presented by considering the traveling wave effect with variable apparent velocities. The effects of fling step and long period pulses of NFGMs on the seismic responses of the arch bridge are also discussed.     

Analytical investigations of seismic responses for reinforced concrete bridge columns subjected to strong near-fault ground motion

Strong near-fault ground motion, usually caused by the fault-rupture and characterized by a pulse-like velocity- wave form, often causes dramatic instantaneous seismic energy (Jadhav and Jangid 2006). Some reinforced concrete (RC) bridge columns, even those built according to ductile design principles, were damaged in the 1999 Chi-Chi earthquake. Thus, it is very important to evaluate the seismic response of a RC bridge column to improve its seismic design and prevent future damage. Nonlinear time history analysis using step-by-step integration is capable of tracing the dynamic response of a structure during the entire vibration period and is able to accommodate the pulsing wave form. However, the accuracy of the numerical results is very sensitive to the modeling of the nonlinear load-deformation relationship of the structural member. FEMA 273 and ATC-40 provide the modeling parameters for structural nonlinear analyses of RC beams and RC columns. They use three parameters to define the plastic rotation angles and a residual strength ratio to describe the nonlinear load- deformation relationship of an RC member. Structural nonlinear analyses are performed based on these parameters. This method provides a convenient way to obtain the nonlinear seismic responses of RC structures. However, the accuracy of the numerical solutions might be further improved. For this purpose, results from a previous study on modeling of the static pushover analyses for RC bridge columns (Sung et al. 2005) is adopted for the nonlinear time history analysis presented herein to evaluate the structural responses excited by a near-fault ground motion. To ensure the reliability of this approach, the numerical results were compared to experimental results. The results confirm that the proposed approach is valid.     

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.     

Experimental research and finite element analysis of bridge piers failed in flexure-shear modes

In recent earthquakes, a large number of reinforced concrete （RC） bridges were severely damaged due to mixed flexure-shear failure modes of the bridge piers. An integrated experimental and finite element （FE） analysis study is described in this paper to study the seismic performance of the bridge piers that failed in flexure-shear modes. In the first part, a nonlinear cyclic loading test on six RC bridge piers with circular cross sections is carried out experimentally. The damage states, ductility and energy dissipation parameters, stiffness degradation and shear strength of the piers are studied and compared with each other. The experimental results suggest that all the piers exhibit stable flexural response at displacement ductilities up to four before exhibiting brittle shear failure. The ultimate performance of the piers is dominated by shear capacity due to significant shear cracking, and in some cases, rupturing of spiral bars. In the second part, modeling approaches describing the hysteretic behavior of the piers are investigated by using ANSYS software. A set of models with different parameters is selected and evaluated through comparison with experimental results. The influences of the shear retention coefficients between concrete cracks, the Bauschinger effect in longitudinal reinforcement, the bond-slip relationship between the longitudinal reinforcement and the concrete and the concrete failure surface on the simulated hysteretic curves are discussed. Then, a modified analysis model is presented and its accuracy is verified by comparing the simulated results with experimental ones. This research uses models available in commercial FE codes and is intended for researchers and engineers interested in using ANSYS software to predict the hysteretic behavior of reinforced concrete structures.     

Seismic analysis of diagrid structural frames with shear-link fuse devices

This paper presents a new concept for enhancing the seismic ductility and damping capacity of diagrid structural frames by using shear-link fuse devices and its seismic performance is assessed through nonlinear static and dynamic analysis.The architectural elegancy of the diagrid structure attributed to its triangular leaning member configuration and high structural redundancy make this system a desirable choice for tall building design.However,forming a stable energy dissipation mechanism in diagrid framing remains to be investigated to expand its use in regions with high seismicity.To address this issue,a diagrid framing design is proposed here which provides a competitive design option in highly seismic regions through its increased ductility and improved energy dissipation capacity provided by replaceable shear links interconnecting the diagonal members at their ends.The structural characteristics and seismic behavior(capacity,stiffness,energy dissipation,ductility) of the diagrid structural frame are demonstrated with a 21-story building diagrid frame subjected to nonlinear static and dynamic analysis.The findings from the nonlinear time history analysis verify that satisfactory seismic performance can be achieved by the proposed diagrid frame subjected to design basis earthquakes in California.In particular,one appealing feature of the proposed diagrid building is its reduced residual displacement after strong earthquakes.     

Seismic spatial effects on dynamic response of long-span bridges in stationary inhomogeneous random fields

The seismic analysis of long-span bridges subjected to multiple ground excitations is an important problem.The conventional response spectrum method neglects the spatial effects of ground motion, and therefore may result in questionable conclusions. The random vibration approach has been regarded as more reliable. Unfortunately, so far,computational difficulties have not yet been satisfactorily resolved. In this paper, an accurate and efficient random vibration approach -- pseudo excitation method (PEM), by which the above difficulties are overcome, is presented. It has been successfully used in the three dimensional seismic analysis of a number of long-span bridges with thousands of degrees of freedom and dozens of supports. The numerical results of a typical bridge show that the seismic spatial effects, particularly the wave passage effect, are sometimes quite important in evaluating the safety of long-span bridges.     

Effects of near-fault ground motions on the nonlinear behaviour of reinforced concrete framed buildings

The design provisions of current seismic codes are generally not very accurate for assessing effects of near-fault ground motions on reinforced concrete(r.c.)spatial frames,because only far-fault ground motions are considered in the seismic codes.Strong near-fault earthquakes are characterized by long-duration(horizontal)pulses and high values of the ratio α_(PGA)of the peak value of the vertical acceleration,PGA_V,to the analogous value of the horizontal acceleration,PGA_H,which can become critical for girders and columns.In this work,six- and twelve-storey r.c.spatial frames are designed according to the provisions of the Italian seismic code,considering the horizontal seismic loads acting(besides the gravity loads)alone or in combination with the vertical ones.The nonlinear seismic analysis of the test structures is performed using a step-by-step procedure based on a two-parameter implicit integration scheme and an initial stress-like iterative procedure.A lumped plasticity model based on the Haar-Karman principle is adopted to model the inelastic behaviour of the frame members.For the numerical investigation,five near-fault ground motions with high values of the acceleration ratio α_(PGA) are considered.Moreover,following recent seismological studies,which allow the extraction of the largest(horizontal) pulse from a near-fault ground motion,five pulse-type(horizontal)ground motions are selected by comparing the original ground motion with the residual motion after the pulse has been extracted.The results of the nonlinear dynamic analysis carried out on the test structures highlighted that horizontal and vertical components of near-fault ground motions may require additional consideration in the seismic codes.     

Implications of seismic pounding on the longitudinal response of multi-span bridges-an analytical perspective

Seismic pounding between adjacent frames in multiple-frame bridges and girder ends in multi-span simply supported bridges has been commonly observed in several recent earthquakes. The consequences of pounding include damage to piers, abutments, shear keys, bearings and restrainers, and possible collapse of deck spans. This paper investigates pounding in bridges from an analytical perspective. A simplified nonlinear model of a multiple-frame bridge is developed including the effects of inelastic frame action and nonlinear hinge behavior, to study the seismic response to longitudinal ground motion. Pounding is implemented using the contact force-based Kelvin model, as well as the momentum-based stereomechanical approach, Parameter studies are conducted to determine the effects of frame period ratio, column hysteretic behavior, energy dissipation during impact and near source ground motions on the pounding response of the bridge. The results indicate that pounding is most critical for highly out-of-phase frames and is not significant for frame period ratios greater than 0.7. Impact models without energy dissipation overestimate the displacement and acceleration amplifications due to impact, especially for elastic behavior of the frames. Representation of stiffness degradation in bridge columns is essential in capturing the accurate response of pounding frames subjected to far field ground motion. Finally, it is shown that strength degradation and pounding can result in significant damage to the stiffer frames of the bridge when subjected to large acceleration pulses from near field ground motion records.     

形状记忆合金橡胶对高架桥梁碰撞减震效果的试验研究

地震作用下,高架桥梁相邻主梁间的碰撞会引起结构位移和加速度响应增大、应力提高,导致混凝土开裂、脱落和伸缩缝被挤压破坏,甚至引发桥梁落梁和倒塌等,因此采取减轻或者避免桥梁结构在地震作用下碰撞的措施显得尤为必要。设计制备了具有变形自恢复能力的形状记忆合金橡胶碰撞缓冲器,通过桥梁地震碰撞的振动台试验,研究了形状记忆合金橡胶缓冲器对桥梁碰撞的控制效果,提出了碰撞缓冲器吸能效率和结构自身耗能控制率指标。研究表明,形状记忆合金橡胶碰撞缓冲器具有稳定的吸能效率,能够大幅度降低桥梁结构碰撞加速度和碰撞力,这对于提高城市交通网络的地震安全性能具有重要意义。     

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。     

曲率半径对大温差地区小半径曲线梁桥地震响应影响分析

为研究曲率半径和近断层脉冲效应对大温差地区小半径曲线梁桥在地震作用下的动力响应和碰撞效应的影响规律,以某大温差地区曲线梁桥为研究对象,建立不同曲率半径的全桥非线性有限元模型,考虑温度变化对支座性能和伸缩缝间距的影响,开展桥梁地震响应分析.结果表明:随着主梁曲率半径增大,墩底内力响应逐渐增加,邻梁间碰撞效应逐渐增强;温度...     

2022年日本福岛7.4级地震震害分析与对比

2022年3月16日在日本福岛县东部海域发生7.4级地震,本文基于近实时震害评估系统RED-ACT对此次地震进行了快速评估,包括强震动记录分析、区域地震破坏力震害评估结果和典型桥梁破坏,并结合实际震害对比了该系统评估结果以及其他主要震害快速评估系统的分析结果,结果表明：(1)此次地震造成的地面运动强度较大,多数台站记录PGA较2021年福岛7.3级地震更强,反应谱在0.5～1.3s区间呈现远高于2021年福岛地震的趋势。(2)RED-ACT的震害评估结果相较于日本NIED-CRS系统和美国USGS-PAGER系统与实际震害更为接近,在强震动记录较为密集的地区,开展基于强震动时程和建筑非线性分析的震害评估能够得到更为准确的震害评估结果。(3)此次地震对白石市附近桥梁造成了一定的破坏,桥梁破坏附近处的强震动会对典型桥梁结构造成一定程度的破坏。     

Experimental and analytical study on pounding reduction of base‐isolated highway bridges using MR dampers

Pounding between adjacent superstructures has been a major cause of highway bridge damage in the past several earthquakes. This paper presents an experimental and analytical study on pounding reduction of highway bridges subjected to earthquake ground motions by using magnetorheological (MR) dampers. An analytical model, which incorporates structural pounding and MR dampers, is developed. A series of shaking table tests on a 1:20 scaled base‐isolated bridge model are performed to investigate the effects of pounding between adjacent superstructures on the dynamics of the structures. Based on the test results, the parameters of the linear and the nonlinear viscoelastic impact models are identified. Performance of the semiactive system for reducing structural pounding is also investigated experimentally, in which the MR dampers are used in conjunction with the proposed control strategy, to verify the effectiveness of the MR dampers. Structural responses are also simulated by using the established analytical model and compared with the shaking table test results. The results show that pounding between adjacent superstructures of the highway bridge significantly increases the structural acceleration responses. For the base‐isolated bridge model considered here, the semiactive control system with MR dampers effectively precludes pounding. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

近断层地震特性对隔震曲线连续梁桥地震响应的影响

为研究近断层地震动对曲线连续梁桥地震响应及碰撞效应的影响,采用非线性时程分析法,分别研究脉冲效应、上盘效应及方向性效应对某三跨曲线连续梁桥支座位移、桥墩内力及邻梁间碰撞力的影响;通过支座隔震率的对比分析,探究不同类型近断层地震动下地震响应产生差异的原因。研究结果表明:脉冲效应、上盘效应和方向性效应均会增大曲线连续梁桥地震响应,脉冲效应的影响尤为显著;脉冲效应和方向性效应削弱了高阻尼橡胶支座的隔震特性,而上盘效应对桥梁响应的影响仅与上盘地震动自身特性有关;综合来看,脉冲效应对曲线梁碰撞响应影响最明显,上盘效应影响不大。     

高墩梁桥的地震冲撞效应及其应对策略初探

国内外多次地震表明了高墩桥梁的地震冲撞破坏现象,针对目前国内大量兴建的高墩梁桥,有必要研究高墩梁桥地震冲撞效应和减轻桥梁地震冲撞破坏的应对策略。本文根据高烈度震区的1座高墩梁桥建立全桥的空间有限元模型,并在墩-梁结合部伸缩缝处采用非线性接触单元模拟相邻梁间的冲撞行为,同时考虑了下部支座的影响;考虑不同的强震动输入,采用非线性时程分析方法,研究了高墩梁桥的地震冲撞效应及减轻冲撞的有效措施。研究结果表明:本文采用的冲撞力学模型能够合理地模拟地震作用下结构的冲撞现象;冲撞行为对结构的地震反应影响复杂;地震动特性对冲撞效应影响显著;调整伸缩逢宽度或设置弹簧-阻尼限位装置可有效缓解结构间的冲撞效应。     

Evaluation of uniaxial contact models for moat wall pounding simulations

Moat wall pounding occurs when a base-isolated building displaces beyond the provided clearance and collides with the surrounding retaining wall, inducing very high floor accelerations and interstory drifts. Previous studies on moat wall pounding typically employ simplified models of the superstructure, with a uniaxial contact spring used to model the entire moat wall. Consequently, researchers have developed sophisticated contact models to estimate the normal-direction contact force that is generated during seismic pounding. This study examines how the choice in contact model affects the seismic response of a base-isolated building subjected to impact-inducing ground excitation. Five widely used state-of-the-art contact models are summarized and implemented into an experimentally-calibrated numerical model of a base-isolated moment frame. Results of nonlinear dynamic time history analyses are shown in detail for one ground motion, followed by a larger parametric study across 28 near-fault ground motions. This work shows that peak impact force and base acceleration are moderately sensitive to the choice in contact model, while upper floor accelerations and interstory drifts are practically not affected.     

断层走向对刚构桥地震反应的影响

我国西部部分连续刚构桥临近地震断层建设,在抗震分析时通常会忽略断层走向与桥梁纵桥向夹角对其地震反应的影响。利用Midas Civil软件建立4座墩高不同的大跨度连续刚构桥模型,选取10组近断层强震记录进行时程分析,研究断层走向对刚构桥地震反应(位移和弯矩反应)的影响。结果显示：在水平双向近断层地震动输入下,桥梁主墩及主梁纵桥向地震反应在断层走向与纵桥向夹角为75°～135°范围内最大,而横桥向最大地震反应则发生在夹角为0°～30°或120°～180°范围;在三向近断层地震动输入下,与仅考虑水平双向地震动输入下的桥梁地震反应相比,竖向地震动对主梁竖向弯矩响应的影响较大,特别是主墩和主梁的交界处,增大比例可达2倍及以上。就文章选取的4座桥梁算例,不考虑断层走向和桥梁纵桥向的夹角则存在低估桥梁地震反应的可能,低估误差在15%～40%左右。