Pounding mitigation and unseating prevention at expansion joints of isolated multi-span bridges

Damage of adjacent bridge structures due to relative responses, such as pounding and unseating, have been observed in many earthquakes. The isolators in bridge structures are effective in mitigating the induced seismic forces. However, the deck displacement becomes excessively large when subjected to ground motion with unexpected characteristics. This increases the possibility of pounding; and contributes to the unseating of bridge decks and subsequent collapse. An analytical model of expansion joints, that takes account of the interaction between adjacent bridge segments and the effect of impact and restrainers, is developed and nonlinear time history analyses are performed on a typical isolated multi-span bridge using three standard ground motions. The numerical simulation results show that pounding between adjacent bridge segments could amplify the relative displacement, resulting in the requirement of using an unseating prevention system. Restrainers are substantially effective in reducing the relative opening displacements and impact forces due to pounding at the expansion joints. However, the impact and the stretch of cable restrainers at expansion joints results in a large lateral force transfer from one deck to the other, which, consequently, significantly changes the global response of the participating structural systems. Therefore, it is effective to provide a shock absorber for the mitigation of impact effects between bridge segments or at the restrainers’ ends. The sudden changes of stiffness during poundings can be smoothed by using a natural rubber shock absorber, which prevents, to some extent, the acceleration peaks due to impact. The reaction forces at the pier bases and the pounding forces exerted on the superstructure can be satisfactorily reduced.     

Devices for protecting bridge superstructure from pounding and unseating damages: an overview

Previous earthquakes have highlighted the seismic vulnerability of bridges due to excessive movements at expansion joints. This movement could lead to the catastrophic unseating failure if the provided seat width is inadequate. Moreover, seismic pounding is inevitable during a strong earthquake due to the limited gap size normally provided at the expansion joints. Various types of restrainers, dampers and other devices have been proposed to limit the joint movement or to accommodate the joint movement so that the damages caused by excessive relative displacements could be mitigated. To select and design appropriate devices to mitigate the relative displacement-induced damages to bridge structures during earthquake shaking, it is important that results from the previous studies are well understood. This paper presents an overview on various pounding and unseating mitigation devices that have been proposed by various researchers. Based on an extensive review of up-to-date literatures, the merits and limitations of these devices are discussed.     

地震输入工况对曲线桥梁伸缩缝碰撞响应的影响

针对曲线桥梁伸缩缝地震碰撞破坏现象,结合某多层互通式立交体系中单支多联曲线箱梁桥工程,建立带伸缩缝曲线桥梁的空间动力分析模型。用Kelvin接触单元模拟伸缩缝处地震碰撞效应,建立包含墩柱、主梁、支座和伸缩缝的全桥有限元模型。利用非线性时程分析法,分别输入两组地震波的单维和多维8种地震动工况,分析不同地震工况作用下曲线桥梁伸缩缝的碰撞响应。结果表明:曲线桥梁不同方向地震动响应存在耦合,其伸缩缝碰撞响应的研究应采用多组地震波的单维和多维输入工况分别计算。     

Seismic vulnerability assessment of a Californian multi-frame curved concrete box girder viaduct using fragility curves

Seismic response of multi-frame curved viaducts has been proved to be very complex due to typically inherent irregularities identified in this class of bridge structures such as deck in-plane curvature, altitudinal irregularity and deck discontinuity. The discontinuity provided by the expansion joint has made this class of bridges prone to catastrophic damages caused by multiple collisions between adjacent frames during both torsional and translational modes of responses as well as deck unseating at the expansion joints. This paper presents the seismic response of a Californian multi-frame curved concrete box girder viaduct, considering four different radii of curvature and five altitudinal coefficients, using fragility curves. Fragility curves are developed by considering different sources of uncertainties related to earthquakes, structural geometries and material properties. The full nonlinear time-history analyses are performed utilising 3-D numerical bridge models generated in OpenSees finite element platform. The results show that bridge vulnerability increases with increasing irregularity in bridge plan and elevation. It is observed that bridge components and system fragility show different sensitivity to each type and level of irregularity for each damage state. In addition, the obtained results can be used to aid seismic retrofit prioritisation, financial loss estimation, pre-earthquake planning and design improvement processes.     

无桥台伸缩缝多联桥跨结构地震碰撞响应研究

针对地震作用下多联长桥结构中伸缩缝处的碰撞破坏,提出一种取消桥台伸缩缝保留两联间桥墩伸缩缝的新型多联桥跨结构。用Kelvin接触单元模拟桥台伸缩缝和桥墩两联间伸缩缝在地震作用下的碰撞效应,构建包括墩柱、主梁、支座和伸缩缝在内的全桥空间动力分析模型。依托某市立交体系中一座独立多联长曲线匝道桥梁工程,建立4个计算模型;分别输入2组地震波的单维和多维8种地震动工况;利用非线性时程分析法,研究各计算模型在多种地震输入工况下桥台伸缩缝和桥墩两联间伸缩缝的碰撞响应差异。结果表明:无桥台伸缩缝多联桥跨结构可以有效消除或减小地震荷载作用下桥跨结构中伸缩缝处的碰撞破坏,是一种十分有利的抗震结构形式。     

附加限位装置对钢管混凝土拱桥的减震效果

以某钢管混凝土拱桥为工程背景,在动力特性和反应谱分析结果的基础上,分析其在地震荷载作用下主桥伸缩缝处采用限位装置后的结构地震响应。研究结果表明,附加限位装置能显著减小伸缩缝处相邻桥面系的相对位移,提高结构的抗震安全性。     

斜交装配式简支梁桥地震非均匀碰撞效应

鉴于地震作用下斜交梁桥的不规则平面旋转位移使得应用接触单元法计算斜交梁桥碰撞效应存在一定的局限性,为了探讨三向地震作用下斜交装配式简支梁桥的地震碰撞力、梁端应力和墩底应力的非均匀分布规律,提出了采用显式动力接触算法计算斜交梁桥地震碰撞效应的数值模拟方法。结果表明:斜交简支梁桥横桥向的碰撞比纵桥向的碰撞更加剧烈;桥台背墙对边主梁的碰撞力大,对中间主梁的碰撞力小;桥面两侧的梁间碰撞力大,桥面中心线的梁间碰撞力小;挡块根部受到的碰撞力大,相应部位的边主梁横向应力大;挡块端部受到的碰撞力小,相应部位的边主梁横向应力小;碰撞对台柱底部几乎没有影响,斜交梁桥的地震碰撞力分布极不均匀,总体上表现出“四角四边大,中间部位小”的特点。     

地震序列下拉索模数伸缩缝联间限位分析

主震作用下桥梁结构可能已发生联间相对变位,强余震作用将进一步加剧桥梁上部结构的碰撞或落梁灾害,以某连续梁桥为例进行地震序列分析,并对比有无拉索模数伸缩缝两种情况下的地震响应,结果表明:拉索模数伸缩缝能够有效限制主余震各阶段联间相对位移,对避免主震后产生联间残余位移的桥梁结构在强余震作用下发生碰撞、落梁具有重要意义;同时,拉索模数伸缩缝使桥梁各联间协同作用,从而墩梁相对位移得到相应的控制,桥墩受力亦有所改善。     

Interaction between continuous welded rail and long-span steel truss arch bridge of a high-speed railway under seismic action

Track–bridge interaction under the seismic excitation is a dominant factor to the design and operation of railway bridges. A spatial model integrating rails, deck system, stringers, cross beams, suspenders, main trusses, piers and foundations was established in this paper, adopting non-linear springs to simulate the longitudinal resistance between the track and the bridge. The improved Penzien model was utilised to simulate the soil-pile interaction effect and a computer program was developed to generate artificial seismic waves. Comparison of natural vibration characteristics for the track–bridge system with and without considering the track constraint was made. Furthermore, the effects of sensitive parameters were investigated, including the ballast resistance, friction of movable bearings, location of rail expansion joint (REJ), etc. Present study results indicate that the track–bridge interaction enhances the structural integrity and induces relatively higher natural frequencies of the bridge. In general, the response obtained by the ballast resistance specified in the Chinese code is smaller than that by UIC code. Neglecting the friction of movable bearing will lead to over-estimated rail stresses and under-estimated internal forces of some piers in the system. Setting REJ at both beam ends is more efficient to release the seismic stress of the rail on the bridge.     

Numerical assessment of new compound restrainer for seismic retrofit of bridges

This paper studies through numerical simulation a practical compound restrainer to use for the improvement of seismic performance of bridges. A mechanical model has been introduced for the restrainer and a basic optimisation approach has been conducted to evaluate the performance of the restrainer to changes in the properties of its components. A real 2-span simply supported plate girder bridge has been selected for case study. Using a detailed three-dimensional model, several non-linear time history analyses were performed under seismic excitations in order to assess the performance of the bridge retrofitted by conventional restrainers including linear and non-linear viscous dampers on one hand and the new compound restrainer, proposed in this study, on the other hand. The results illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed compound restrainer in improving the seismic performance of the bridge by restricting its lateral displacement and applying smaller loads to the substructure. Moreover, noticing past earthquakes have shown the deficiencies of conventional restrainers, the new restrainer seems a suitable alternative since it has been successful in dissipating significant amount of seismic energy as well as reducing the internal forces induced in substructure.     

Reduction of traffic-induced vibration of two-girder steel bridge seated on elastomeric bearings

Reinforcing end-cross beam and removing bumps at expansion joints of bridges are proposed to reduce the traffic-induced vibration and to enhance the deck resistance near the expansion joint of a two-girder steel bridge with elastomeric bearings at each support. The reduction effect is investigated by means of a three-dimensional traffic-induced dynamic analysis. This study indicates that traffic-induced acceleration responses as well as dynamic reaction force of the bridge with the elastomeric bearings are greater than those of the bridge with steel pin bearings. It is observed that reinforcing the end-cross beam reduces traffic-induced vibrations regardless of bearing types, and also removing bumps is the most effective in reducing the dynamic reaction force of the bridges. Especially, for the bridge with elastomeric bearings, the maintenance of bumps near expansion joints is very important to improve not only expanding life span of the expansion joint but also the vibration serviceability of bridges.     

Response of an isolated cable-stayed bridge under bi-directional seismic actions

This paper investigates the effectiveness and limitations of seismic isolation for the earthquake protection of a cable-stayed bridge under bi-directional seismic actions. A simplified lumped mass finite element model of the Quincy Bay-view Bridge at Illinois is developed for the investigation. The deck of the bridge is isolated from the towers by using elastomeric and sliding isolation systems. For the non-linear isolation systems, the interaction between the restoring forces in two orthogonal horizontal directions is duly considered in the response analysis. The seismic response of the bridge is obtained by solving the governing equations of motion in the incremental form using an iterative step-by-step method. A parametric study is also performed by varying important parameters of the isolation systems. The seismic response of the isolated cable-stayed bridge is compared with the corresponding response of the bridge without isolation systems. The results of the investigation indicate that the peak base shear response of the towers and deck accelerations are significantly reduced by the isolation. The displacement response of the hysteretic isolation systems is found to be increased when the bi-directional interaction of the bearing force is considered in the response analysis. Furthermore, it is also found that the response of the bridge is significantly affected by the variation in the parameters of the isolation systems.     

隔震曲线桥梁碰撞研究

目前,铅芯橡胶隔震支座已应用于曲线桥梁,由于采用铅芯橡胶支座,地震作用下梁体位移增大,相邻梁体间容易产生碰撞。国内外对于曲线桥梁碰撞的研究相对甚少,本文以一座三联曲线桥梁为研究对象,用非线性时程分析确定曲线桥梁最不利地震输入角度,在此基础上,用本文确定的最不利地震输入角度讨论了曲线桥梁梁间碰撞响应对梁及桥墩的影响。计算结果表明,曲线桥梁采用隔震支座后,可以明显消耗碰撞过程中产生的能量,碰撞对桥墩影响不大,但是瞬时的碰撞对梁轴力影响很大。     

某悬索桥的动力特性及地震响应分析

采用大型通用结构分析程序ANSYS，结合工程实例对某混凝土桁架悬索桥进行了动力特性分析，讨论了支座条件、垂跨比、主缆刚度、吊索刚度、加劲桁架刚度、桥面系质量等因素对结构动力特性的影响，并计算了结构的地震响应。     

谈高烈度山区公路简支梁桥的抗震措施

介绍了山区公路简支体系桥梁的特点,对汶川地震中简支体系桥梁支承震害、桥墩震害、地基震害的三种破坏形式进行了分析,从桥位、桥型选择,搭接、限位、防落梁设计,支座、桥墩、基础设计等方面提出了抗震措施。     

Design of Rupture Strength of Side Blocks in Elevated Steel Girder Bridges with Elastomeric Bearings

Elastomeric rubber bearings with side blocks have been extensively used as a seismic response-control device in steel girder bridges in Japan. In real scenarios, the behavior of the girder bridges with elastomeric bearings are usually complex because of the complex mechanism by which the seismically induced inertia forces at concrete deck transmits to the girder bearings. Therefore, it is important to carry out seismic response analysis of a whole bridge system considering the interaction between different structural components in order to check the performance of the side blocks during an event of severe earthquakes. The objectives of the present study are to develop a detailed three-dimensional finite element (FE) model of an elevated girder bridge system and to propose a design rupture strength for the side blocks. The FE-model is constructed based on an existing plate girder bridge considering the effect of concrete slab, girders, stiffeners, rubber bearing, pier and the damage control by the side blocks. A sequence of seismic response analysis is then performed using four different rupture forces of the side blocks by considering the Level-2 design earthquake, the 1995 Kobe earthquake and the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake. The analytical investigation reveals that the side blocks should be designed to withstand a horizontal force of at least 1200 kN in order to prevent the rupture of the side blocks and to mitigate damage of bridge piers. Moreover, the damage to the critical parts of bridge superstructure can be mitigated by strengthening the side blocks. Based on the analysis results, a retrofit plan to strengthen the side blocks of existing girder bridges is proposed.

     

中小跨径板式橡胶支座梁桥横向抗震设计研究

为提高中小跨径板式橡胶支座梁桥在强震作用下的横向抗震性能,在总结汶川震区该类梁桥震害特点和国内外桥梁抗震设计规范中相关抗震设计策略规定的基础上,归纳当前我国板式橡胶支座梁桥横向抗震体系存在的问题,提出适合我国中小跨径板式橡胶支座梁桥的横向抗震设计方法,即允许上、下部结构连接构件牺牲的准隔震设计方法,介绍该抗震设计方法设计思想,给出在两设防水准下结构各部件的性能目标要求。选择一座典型板式橡胶支座简支梁桥为研究对象,基于文中抗震设计方法的设计思想,提出采用新型隔震系统对计算桥例进行准隔震设计。结果表明：通过对横向限位装置力学性能参数的合理设计,通过桥梁结构在强震作用下板式橡胶支座的滑移、横向限位装置的损伤或牺牲,控制上、下部结构间传递的梁体惯性力,保护墩柱和基础等下部结构免遭严重损害,同时能有效控制墩梁相对位移,防止过大的梁体移位导致的交通阻断、甚至落梁。     

Shape memory alloy bending bars as seismic restrainers for bridges in seismic areas

In general, shape memory alloy (SMA) cables do not resist in compression and, thus, their applications are limited. This study suggests a superelastic SMA bar in bending to be used to overcome the above problem. The objectives of this study are to analyze the characteristics of the bending behavior of an SMA bar and to prove its seismic applicability, especially to restrain openings in bridges. Single and double bending tests are conducted with varying loading speeds and maximum displacements. The loading and the unloading stiffness are estimated from the force-displacement curves, and the equivalent damping ratio of each test is assessed. The SMA bar shows the same stiffness hardening, during bending and under tension which appears to be due to stress-induced-martensite hardening. Increasing the loading speed does not influence the stiffness of the SMA bar with a single bend, but the stiffness of the double bending bar is about five times that of the single bending bar. This study also introduces the use of SMA bending bars as a seismic restrainer for bridges. The SMA bars are assessed as seismic restrainers for a three-span-simply-supported bridge in a zone of moderate seismic activity. The bars reduce the openings at the internal hinges and the pounding force on abutments. Thus, the SMA bending bars are assessed to prevent the unseating at internal hinges and cracks on abutments. This study shows the applicability of the SMA bending bars as a seismic restrainer.     

独塔斜拉桥的总体布置和参数研究

主要介绍独塔斜拉桥有关参数的研究,其中主要是关于主跨主梁边支座附近无索区合理长度的研究。不相同的无索区长度设置,必然对斜拉桥的主梁内力、挠度和塔顶侧移等产生不同的影响,结合考虑到施工等影响因素,经比较本文给出合理的无索区长度建议值。     

复合式金属阻尼器在曲线梁桥减震控制中的应用研究

为了研究复合式金属阻尼器在曲线梁桥减震控制中的应用效果,以一座曲线连续梁桥为例,对其进行了地震作用下的动力弹塑性分析,研究了复合式金属阻尼器在曲线梁桥减震控制上的应用,并且与安装了传统防落梁装置的曲线梁桥结构的地震响应进行了对比。研究结果表明:复合式金属型阻尼器对支座变形的减震率在55%~65%之间,对固定墩墩底弯矩的减震率在50%~55%之间,可以有效地降低曲线梁桥结构在地震中的响应;与传统的防落梁转置相比,复合式金属型阻尼器在地震作用下有着良好的滞回耗能能力,使桥梁具有较高的安全储备,在桥梁的抗震设计中可以取代传统的防落梁拉杆装置;当支座出现较大变形的时候,复合式金属型阻尼器的出力在较小位移下能显著提高,起到限位的作用,防止支座破坏和落梁的发生。