EARTHQUAKE ANALYSIS AND RESPONSE OF TWO-LEVEL VIADUCTS

The nonlinear effects of opening and closing of hinges, restrainers, and abutments must be included in the earthquake analysis of viaducts. In this study, the inelastic system response is compared with the elastic response for comparing the force overstrength ratios with the ductility demands of the viaducts. The parameter study of a typical two-level viaduct shows that the opening and closing of hinges produce discontinuities which alter the system response. The response of viaducts on non-uniform soil site shows that the frames on a stiff soil site provide restraint to the frames on soft soil site, whereas the frames on soft soil site amplify the response of frames on stiff soil site. Upper and lower bound models are established for viaducts subjected to uniform ground motion. The cases investigated demonstrate that it is advisable to perform nonlinear earthquake analysis to estimate the ductility demands in the viaducts. It is important to consider the effects of non-uniform ground motion, particularly for a low velocity ground wave propagation velocity or for the viaducts with significantly different soil profiles at the column supports of adjacent frames.

  • Corporate Authors:

    University of California, Berkeley

    Earthquake Engineering Research Center
    Berkeley, CA  United States  94720

    California Department of Transportation

    1120 N Street
    Sacramento, CA  United States  95814
  • Authors:
    • SINGH, S P
    • Fenves, G L
  • Publication Date: 1994-10

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Features: Figures; References; Tables;
  • Pagination: 179 p.

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00722089
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Report/Paper Numbers: UCB/EERC-94/11, Final Report
  • Contract Numbers: RTA-59M848
  • Files: TRIS, STATEDOT
  • Created Date: May 2 1996 12:00AM