Stochastic Analysis of the Required Separation Distance to Avoid Seismic Pounding Between Adjacent Bridge Decks

Abstract eng:
Pounding between adjacent bridge decks during severe earthquake may result in significant structural damage or even collapse of the decks. One of the most effective methods to avoid such damage is to provide adequate separation distance between bridge decks. This paper investigates the required separation distance between two adjacent continuous bridge decks which are connected by a modular expansion joint (MEJ). Each bridge deck is modeled as a lumped mass supported on an isolating bearing. Both the bearings and the elastic piers are modeled as spring-damping elements. Spatial ground motions are modeled by the filtered Tajimi-Kanai power spectral density function and an empirical coherency loss function. Site amplification effect is included by a transfer function derived from one dimensional wave propagation theory. Stochastic response equations of the adjacent bridge decks are formulated. Parametric studies are carried out to study the required separation distance between the two adjacent decks to avoid pounding. The effect of non-uniform ground excitation, site amplification, and different parameters of bearing on the required separation distance are investigated. Comparisons and discussions are made based on the numerical results.

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