Analysis of the observed seismic response of a highway bridge

Strong-motion accelerograms obtained on the San Juan Bautista 156/101 Separation Bridge during the 6 August 1979 Coyote Lake, California, earthquake are used to examine the response of this multiple-span bridge to moderate levels of earthquake loading. Although the bridge was not damaged, the records are of significant engineering interest as they are the first to be recorded on a highway bridge structure in North America. A technique of system identification is used to determine optimal modal parameters for linear models which can closely replicate the observed time-domain seismic response of the bridge. Time variations in frequency and damping in the horizontal response are identified using a moving-window analysis. A three-dimensional finite element model is developed to study the bridge response in detail. The first two horizontal modal frequencies computed from this model are in excellent agreement with information obtained during the system identification analysis provided the finite element model's expansion joints are locked, preventing relative translational motions from occurring across the joints. Locking is confirmed by the observed seismic deformations of the structure in the fundamental mode. Fundamental vertical frequencies of the individual spans, predicted by the finite element model, are in very good agreement with ambient vibration test data.