Railway Bridges Isolation

Abstract eng:
Algeria is extending the railway infrastructure in a seismic zone. In order to meet as well the seismic design criteria and the railway serviceability criteria, an innovative seismic protection system has been recently used for some new viaducts, using Prestressed Spring Dampers (PDS). These seismic devices have three functions: blocking axial displacements as long as forces are smaller than a preload, viscous damping for higher loads than the preload, bringing back the bridge in initial position after the earthquake. The preload has been set above service loads. For longitudinal PDS, the preload is set above thermal expansion, shrinkage and breaking loads. For transversal PDS, the preload is set above wind loads. Additional damping is provided by traditional viscous dampers. Vertical load is supported by sliding pot bearings. This innovative seismic protection system has been used because it efficiently reduces seismic demand on the piers and foundations. Devices have been intensively tested to demonstrate their reliability.

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