RETROFITTING BRIDGES TO INCREASE THEIR SEISMIC RESISTANCE

One of the problems of adding retrainers to existing bridges is attaching to existing members. Existing construction often is not strong enough to develop the required anchorage forces. In these cases, existing features may have to be strengthened in order to prevent premature failures. Another problem is that restrainer forces, if fully developed, may fail the columns or other portions of the bridge. In spite of these problems, restrainers by themselves can decrease a bridge's vulnerability to damage more than any other retrofitting system. The most seismic protection can be obtained for the least money by retrofitting existing bridges with restrainers. In the meantime, studies are being made for possibly retrofitting columns and footings of selected structures sometime in the future. (Author)

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Seismic Research for Highway Bridges (US-Japan Program) is a collection of Papers Reprinted Directly from the United States-Japan Cooperative Program on Natural Resources (UJNR) Panel on Wind and Seismic Effects; and the Proceedings of the US-Japan Seminars on Repair and Retrofit of Structures, 1979 to 1984.
• Corporate Authors:

  Pittsburgh University, Pittsburgh

  Department of Civil Engineering
  Pittsburgh, PA  United States  15261

  National Science Foundation

  1800 G Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20550

  Pittsburgh University, Pittsburgh

  Department of Civil Engineering
  Pittsburgh, PA  United States  15261
• Authors:
  • DEGENKOLB, O H
• Publication Date: 1984-6

Media Info

• Features: Figures;
• Pagination: p. 629-634
• Serial:
  • Publication of: Pittsburgh University, Pittsburgh
  • Publisher: Pittsburgh University, Pittsburgh

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Cost effectiveness; Earthquake resistant design; Earthquake resistant structures; Highway bridges; Retrofitting
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00394790
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 31 1985 12:00AM