NORTHRIDGE EARTHQUAKE INFLUENCE ON BRIDGE DESIGN CODE

The Northridge Earthquake, January 17, 1994, caused partial collapse of seven freeway bridges, and damage to 230 others. Vertical accelerations, failed hinge restrainers, and column flare behavior were cited as causes of collapse and major damage. It is true that these factors, plus a few others, contributed to the collapse and damage. However, the primary cause of all collapses and major damage can be summarized as insufficient ductility in the bridge structural frames. Furthermore, the bridge elements which failed in a non-ductile fashion behaved predictably. The details which led to the failures are no longer used in new bridge designs. This paper will investigate the undesirable bridge behavior observed in the Northridge Earthquake, and discuss how most of these issues are already covered in new bridge design codes. Finally, procedures adopted or proposed to correct the remaining issues and improve bridge behavior in a more reliable manner, as compared to undesirable Northridge Earthquake bridge response, will be outlined.

• Corporate Authors:

  American Concrete Institute (ACI)

  38800 Country Club Drive
  Farmington Hills, MI  United States  48331
• Publication Date: 1999

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures;
• Pagination: p. 17-28
• Monograph Title: SEISMIC RESPONSE OF CONCRETE BRIDGES

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Acceleration (Mechanics); Bridges; Columns; Ductility; Earthquake resistant design; Frames; Hinges; Retrofitting; Structural design
• Identifier Terms: Northridge Earthquake, January 17, 1994
• Uncontrolled Terms: Earthquake damage
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Geotechnology; Highways; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls; I40: Soils and Rocks;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00778421
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Nov 17 1999 12:00AM