Seismic response of multi-frame bridges

Long cast-in-place concrete bridges are often constructed in multiple frames separated by in-span hinges. The multi-frame system offers lower construction and maintenance costs, fewer adverse effects due to creep, post-tensioning, and thermal deformations as a few of its advantages. However, the seismic response of multi-frame bridges has been uncertain owing to the complexities of their discrete system. This study intends to improve the understanding of the seismic response of multi-frame bridge systems and evaluate the applicability of current design assumptions. Responses of multi-frame bridges and comparable single-frame bridges of the same length are compared. Seismic demands on multi-frame bridge columns, abutments, and in-span hinges were investigated through high-fidelity analytical simulations. Approximately 3400 nonlinear time history analyses of prototype bridges with realistic designs were performed using the OpenSees platform. Analysis of variance was implemented along with a factorial design to study the effect of several independent factors, including the number of frames, substructure system, unequal column heights, soil type, ground motion intensity, and capacity-to-demand ratio. It was observed for elastic dynamic analysis that a 90 % modal mass participation ratio is not adequate to accurately estimate dynamic responses. Seismic demands on columns in multi-frame bridges are typically smaller than those in comparable single-frame bridges. The multi-frame system is seismically more robust than the single-frame system, specifically for bridges spanning non-uniform valleys that include unequal column heights. To prevent longitudinal unseating at in-span hinges, it is critical to consider the interaction of transverse and longitudinal responses. The seismic damage to abutment backwalls and backfills in multi-frame bridges is expected to be extensive owing to small expansion joints.     

Seismic fragilities of single-column highway bridges with rocking column-footing

Rocking isolation has been increasingly studied as a promising design concept to limit the earthquake damage of civil structures. Despite the difficulties and uncertainties of predicting the rocking response under individual earthquake excitations (due to negative rotational stiffness and complex impact energy loss), in a statistical sense, the seismic performance of rocking structures has been shown to be generally consistent with the experimental outcomes. To this end, this study assesses, in a probabilistic manner, the effectiveness of using rocking isolation as a retrofit strategy for single-column concrete box-girder highway bridges in California. Under earthquake excitation, the rocking bridge could experience multi-class responses (eg, full contacted or uplifting foundation) and multi-mode damage (eg, overturning, uplift impact, and column nonlinearity). A multi-step machine learning framework is developed to estimate the damage probability associated with each damage scenario. The framework consists of the dimensionally consistent generalized linear model for regression of seismic demand, the logistic regression for classification of distinct response classes, and the stepwise regression for feature selection of significant ground motion and structural parameters. Fragility curves are derived to predict the response class probabilities of rocking uplift and overturning, and the conditional damage probabilities such as column vibrational damage and rocking uplift impact damage. The fragility estimates of rocking bridges are compared with those for as-built bridges, indicating that rocking isolation is capable of reducing column damage potential. Additionally, there exists an optimal slenderness angle range that enables the studied bridges to experience much lower overturning tendencies and significantly reduced column damage probabilities at the same time.     

既有大跨度混凝土拱桥震害机理分析

以汶川地震中遭到严重破坏的金花大桥作为工程实例,基于现场震害调查资料和数值分析来研究金花大桥地震破坏机理。现场震害调查发现,金花大桥震害主要集中在主拱肋和拱上立柱,表现为混凝土开裂和拱上立柱环向裂缝等。数值分析结果表明,在地震荷载作用下主拱肋的拱脚截面抗弯能力比地震需求小,会出现弯曲破坏,拱顶截面抗震能力满足抗震需求;8#拱上立柱在柱底会发生弯曲开裂。数值分析结果与震害调查具有一致性,可为大跨度拱桥抗震设计提供参考。     

Fragility curves of concrete bridges retrofitted by column jacketing

The Northridge earthquake inflicted various levels of damage upon a large number of Caltrans’ bridges not retrofitted by column jacketing. In this respect, this study represents results of fragility curve development for two (2) sample bridges typical in southern California, strengthened for seismic retrofit by means of steel jacketing of bridge columns. Monte Carlo simulation is performed to study nonlinear dynamic responses of the bridges before and after column retrofit. Fragility curves in this study are represented by lognormal distribution functions with two parameters and developed as a function of PGA. The sixty (60) ground acceleration time histories for the Los Angeles area developed for the Federal Emergency Management Agcncy (FEMA) SAC (SEAOC-ATC-CUREe) steel project are used for the dynamic analysis of the bridges. The improvement in the fragility with steel jacketing is quantified by comparing fragility curves of the bridge before and after column retrofit. In this first attempt to formulate the problem of fragility enhancement, the quantification is made by comparing the median values of the fragility curves before and after the retrofit. Under the hypothesis that this quantification also applies to empirical fragility curves developed on the basis of Northridge earthquake damage, the enhanced version of the empirical curves is developed for the ensuing analysis to determine the enhancement of transportation network performance due to the retrofit. Supported by: MCEER/FHWA under Contract No.DTFH 61-98-C-00094 and Caltrans under Contract No.59A0304     

近断层地震动下摇摆-自复位桥墩连续梁地震反应

为讨论近断层地震动下摇摆-自复位(Rocking Self-Centering, RSC)桥墩连续梁的地震反应及其抗震优缺点。基于OpenSees有限元分析平台讨论了RSC桥墩三维建模方法,通过对6个试验构件的模拟,比较模拟与试验桥墩滞回曲线、预应力筋最大应力等指标,验证了模型准确性。建立设置RSC桥墩和普通钢筋混凝土(Reinforced Concrete, RC)桥墩的上部结构相同的两座连续梁桥,输入3组含有强速度脉冲的近断层地震波进行非线性动力时程分析,对比其抗震性能。结果表明：在0.4 g近断层地震动下,RSC桥墩与普通RC桥墩相比,RSC桥墩的最大位移角为普通RC桥墩的78.1%～97.6%,墩底曲率延性系数仅为普通RC桥墩的24.0%～34.0%,减小了桥墩的最大变形,也减轻了桥墩地震损伤,不利的一点是使用RSC桥墩会导致支座位移增大。RSC桥墩震后的残余位移较小,且预应力筋处于弹性受力阶段,为实现震后桥梁功能的快速恢复提供了条件。     

基于IDA的高墩大跨桥梁地震易损性分析

针对目前我国桥梁抗震设计规范仅适用于墩高40m以下规则桥梁的现状,以一常见山区高墩大跨连续刚构桥为研究对象,采用IDA方法分析了桥梁结构在15条地震动下的动态响应,得到桥墩各截面在所有地震动作用下的曲率包络图。以高墩最不利截面的材料损伤应变所对应的截面曲率为损伤指标,结合能力需求比对数回归分析,计算了高墩在不同损伤状态下的破坏概率,建立了墩柱易损性曲线,同时还建立了梁端支座的易损性曲线。基于联合失效概率分析方法,形成了桥梁系统易损性曲线。分析结果表明:薄壁空心墩连续刚构桥在强地震作用下高墩发生破坏的部位主要集中在墩顶和墩底区域;墩柱发生完全破坏的概率极小,但桥台处梁端活动支座的地震损伤概率较高;桥梁系统损伤概率能够更加准确地反映高墩大跨桥梁的真实抗震性能。     

Parametric study on performance of bridge retrofitted by unseating prevention devices

1 Introduction Structural retro?t techniques (Roberts, 2005), such as restrainers, concrete shear keys, steel jackets, CFRPshells, base isolators, or dampers have been widely studied and implemented in actual structures based on the experiences learned from past earthquakes. In the Chi-Chi earthquake (EERI, 2001), the damage to simply-supported PCI girder bridges provided a different view from which to examine the function of a rubber bearing system for simply- supported bridges (NCREE,…     

近断层地震动下设置BRB的双向减隔震桥梁地震反应

在近断层地震动下桥梁结构将发生较大反应,减隔震设计是减轻地震损伤的重要手段。提出了在桥梁双柱墩横桥向设置防屈曲支撑(BRB),在纵桥向设置铅芯橡胶支座(LRB)的双向减隔震体系。利用Midas Civil软件建立3种不同减隔震方式的桥梁结构模型:LRB仅单向,LRB双向与LRB联合BRB,运用非线性时程分析方法计算了桥墩反应(墩顶侧移角、残余位移角和曲率延性)、LRB支座变形和BRB的耗能特性等。结果表明:在近断层地震动输入下联合设置LRB和BRB的双向减隔震桥梁减震效果明显,相比其它2种方式,能有效降低墩柱的塑性变形及起到保护桥墩的作用。在横桥向,桥墩最大侧移角、残余位移角和最大曲率延性系数都显著降低。     

Controlled rocking pile foundation system with replaceable bar fuses for seismic resilience

Bridges designed following a conventional approach minimize the risk of collapse, but often require challenging, costly, and time-consuming restoration after an earthquake occurs. The new seismic design philosophy requires bridges to maintain functionality even after severe earthquakes. In this context, this paper proposes a controlled rocking pile foundation(CRPF) system and numerically evaluates bridges′ degree of seismic resilience. The CRPF system allows a pile cap to rock on a pile foundati...     

Earthquake damage potential and critical scour depth of bridges exposed to flood and seismic hazards under lateral seismic loads

Many bridges located in seismic hazard regions suffer from serious foundation exposure caused by riverbed scour. Loss of surrounding soil significantly reduces the lateral strength of pile foundations. When the scour depth exceeds a critical level, the strength of the foundation is insufficient to withstand the imposed seismic demand, which induces the potential for unacceptable damage to the piles during an earthquake. This paper presents an analytical approach to assess the earthquake damage potential of bridges with foundation exposure and identify the critical scour depth that causes the seismic performance of a bridge to differ from the original design. The approach employs the well-accepted response spectrum analysis method to determine the maximum seismic response of a bridge. The damage potential of a bridge is assessed by comparing the imposed seismic demand with the strengths of the column and the foundation. The versatility of the analytical approach is illustrated with a numerical example and verified by the nonlinear finite element analysis. The analytical approach is also demonstrated to successfully determine the critical scour depth. Results highlight that relatively shallow scour depths can cause foundation damage during an earthquake, even for bridges designed to provide satisfactory seismic performance.     

RC jacketing parameters to retrofit highway bridges

Highway bridges are essential structures in the transportation system of any country in the world. Many highway bridges are reinforced concrete (RC) bridges that were constructed before the 1980s, prior to current seismic regulation codes. The continuous modification of regulation codes makes it necessary to evaluate structures, and in many cases, existing bridges require interventions to increase their seismic capacity. Among the different techniques used to improve bridge capacity, encasing the columns with RC jackets increases the strength and stiffness of the substructure. RC jacketing increases the column cross sections, improves the seismic capacity and reduces the seismic vulnerability of the bridge substructures. This work presents a parametric study to assess the expected demands of seismically deficient medium length highway bridges retrofitted with RC jacketing aimed at determining the best jacket parameters. A suite of twenty strong ground motions, recorded from a subduction seismic source close to the Pacific Coast in Mexico, was selected to characterize the seismic demand. The bridge superstructures are simply supported with five 30 m long spans for a total length of 150 m. The bridge models have five possible pier heights of 5, 10, 15 20 and 25 m and three different jacket thicknesses and steel ratios. Pushover analyses and capacity spectra of the family of accelerograms allow for the determination of the pier demands by obtaining the performance point as the intersection of the capacity and demand curves. The results allow for the determination of the influence of each parameter on the expected seismic behavior of the bridge models, with the aim of selecting the most suitable jacket characteristics to improve the seismic bridge performance.     

Seismic fragility curves for greek bridges: methodology and case studies

This study focusses on the estimation of seismic fragility curves for all common bridge types found in modern greek motorways. At first a classification scheme is developed in order to classify the existing bridges into a sufficient number of classes. A total of 11 representative bridge classes resulted, based on the type of piers, deck, and pier-to-deck connection. Then an analytical methodology for deriving fragility curves is proposed and applied to the representative bridge models. This procedure is based on pushover analysis of the entire bridge and definition of damage states in terms of parameters of the bridge pushover curves. The procedure differentiates the way of defining damage according to the seismic energy dissipation mechanism in each bridge, i.e. bridges with yielding piers of the column type and bridges with bearings (with or without seismic links) and non-yielding piers of the wall type. The activation of the abutment-backfill system due to closure of the gap between the deck and the abutments is also taken into account. The derived fragility curves are subjected to a first calibration against empirical curves based on damage data from the US and Japan.     

基于场地效应的悬索桥随机地震响应分析

因大跨径悬索桥梁具有较大的跨越尺度,同时墩柱基础所处场地条件也存在差异,所以对其进行地震响应分析时需考虑局部场地效应。为了正确分析场地效应对大跨度桥梁的地震响应,以某悬索桥为研究背景,采用MIDAS/CIVIL有限元软件,建立该悬索桥的有限元模型,在考虑地震动的局部场地效应情况下列举9种不同的计算工况,对大跨度悬索桥进行时程分析,通过控制一个塔墩处场地类别,改变另一个塔墩处的场地类别来分析场地效应对桥梁跨中位移和弯矩的影响。研究结果显示:场地效应对悬索桥的跨中位移和弯矩存在一定影响,不同的场地条件对桥梁同一位置的破坏程度不同。     

Study on seismic performance enhancement in bridges based on factorial analysis

The seismic performance of bridges depends on the ductile behavior of its column, as the deck and other substructural components except pile foundations are normally designed to be elastic to facilitate bridge retrofitting.Codes such as AASHTO, Caltrans, IRC: 112 etc.give guidelines for the seismic performance enhancement of columns through ductile detailing.In the present study, a methodology for the seismic performance enhancement of bridges is discussed by using a "Parameter-Based Influence Factor"(PIF) developed from factorial analysis.The parameters considered in the factorial analysis are: percentage of longitudinal reinforcement(P_t), compressive strength of concrete(f'_c), yield strength of steel(f_y), spacing of lateral ties(S) and column height(H).The influence of each parameter and their combination on the limit states considered is estimated.Pushover analysis is used to evaluate the capacity of columns, considering shear failure criteria.A total of 243(3~5 combinations) analysis results are compiled to develop ‘PIF’ used in the performance enhancement process.The study also encompasses other sub-objectives such as evaluating the discrepancies in using the Importance Factor(I) in designing bridges of varied functional importance; and estimating the aspect ratio and slenderness ratio values of bridge columns for its initial sizing.     

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.     

Wind-induced vibration control of bridges using liquid column damper

The potential application of tuned liquid column damper (TLCD) for suppressing wind-induced vibration of long span bridges is explored in this paper. By installing the TLCD in the bridge deck, a mathematical model for the bridge-TLCD system is established. The governing equations of the system are developed by considering all three displacement components of the deck in vertical, lateral, and torsional vibrations, in which the interactions between the bridge deck, the TLCD, the aeroelastic forces, and the aerodynamic forces are fully reflected. Both buffeting and flutter analyses are carried out. The buffeting analysis is performed through random vibration approach, and a critical flutter condition is identified from flutter analysis. A numerical example is presented to demonstrate the control effectiveness of the damper and it is shown that the TLCD can be an effective device for suppressing wind-induced vibration of long span bridges, either for reducing the buffeting response or increasing the critical flutter wind velocity of the bridge.     

Seismic fragility analysis of highway bridges considering multi-dimensional performance limit state

Fragility analysis for highway bridges has become increasingly important in the risk assessment of highway transportation networks exposed to seismic hazards. This study introduces a methodology to calculate fragility that considers multi-dimensional performance limit state parameters and makes a first attempt to develop fragility curves for a multi-span continuous (MSC) concrete girder bridge considering two performance limit state parameters: column ductility and transverse deformation in the abutments. The main purpose of this paper is to show that the performance limit states, which are compared with the seismic response parameters in the calculation of fragility, should be properly modeled as randomly interdependent variables instead of deterministic quantities. The sensitivity of fragility curves is also investigated when the dependency between the limit states is different. The results indicate that the proposed method can be used to describe the vulnerable behavior of bridges which are sensitive to multiple response parameters and that the fragility information generated by this method will be more reliable and likely to be implemented into transportation network loss estimation.     

Seismic performance and design of bridge column-to-pile shaft pipe-pin connections in precast and cast-in-place bridges

Hinge or “pin” connections may be used in integral bridges to connect columns to pile shafts to reduce the foundation force demand. Used in combination with prefabricated columns, pins facilitate accelerated bridge construction (ABC). These innovative methods could improve the quality and economy of project compared with conventional construction in seismic regions. This study developed pipe pins that reduce moment transfer between the column and pile shaft under seismic excitations. The pipe pins consist of two steel pipes and a rod that transfer shear and tension while allowing rotation between the column and shaft. The primary objective of this research was to investigate the seismic performance and develop design guidelines of column-to-pile shaft pipe pins for cast-in-place and precast constructions. This research was composed of experimental and analytical studies. The experimental portion of the study consisted of testing of a large-scale bent model subjected to seismic loadings. The test results confirmed that the proposed design method meets the safety and performance requirements of the codes under seismic loadings. The pins maintained structural integrity with minimal damage, while the columns reached the full plastic hinge capacity. The analytical studies consisted of (a) a simple stick model to be used as a design tool, (b) a finite element model (FEM) for global analysis of bridges, and (c) an elaborate FEM to investigate the microscopic performance and interaction of the components. The analytical models were subsequently used in parametric studies.     

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.     

Seismic responses of bridges with rocking column-foundation: A dimensionless regression analysis

Rocking column-foundation system is a new design concept for bridges that can reduce overall seismic damage, minimize construction and repair time, and achieve lower cost in general. However, such system involves complex dynamic responses due to impacts and highly nonlinear rocking behavior. This study presents a dimensionless regression analysis to estimate the rocking and shaking responses of the flexible column-foundation system under near-fault ground motions. First, the transient drift and rocking responses of the system are solved numerically using previously established analytical models. Subsequently, the peak column drifts and uplift angles are derived as functions of ground motion characteristics and the geometric and dynamic parameters of column-foundation system in regressed dimensionless forms. The proposed response models are further examined by validating against the numerical simulations for several as-built bridge cases. It is shown that the proposed model not only physically quantifies the influences of prominent parameters, but also consistently reflects the complex dynamics of the system. The seismic demands of rocking column-foundation system can be realistically predicted directly from structural and ground motion characteristics. This can significantly benefit the design of bridges incorporating this new design concept.