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Structural Engineering and Mechanics
  Volume 12, Number 4, October 2001 , pages 347-362
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12989/sem.2001.12.4.347
 


A study on preventing the fall of skew and curved bridge decks by using rubber bearings
Katsushi Ijima, Hiroyuki Obiya, Gunji Aramaki and Noriaki Kawasaki(Japan)

 
Abstract
    The paper deals with preventing the collapse of deck structures of skew and curved bridges
during earthquakes, by the means of supporting the bridges by rubber bearings and permitting pounding
between the decks and the abutments. Seismic response during pounding is characterized by various
phenomena, such as the caging of bridge decks between abutments during an earthquake or decks
popping out. These behaviors depend on only a small difference in seismic intensity. Regarding the global
characteristics of a seismic response, smaller clearance between a deck and its abutments results in smaller
impact damage of the abutments as well as lesser deformation of the rubber bearings. Similarly, smaller
clearance between a deck and the side blocks results in smaller damage. The stiffnesses of the bearings
and the stiffness ratio between them control the deck displacement. In short to medium length bridges,
zero clearance between a deck and the abutments or the deck and the side blocks is the most effective
way in preventing the deck from falling and limits the damage to the abutments or the side blocks.
 
Key Words
    prevention of deck fall; skew bridge; curved bridge; seismic response with pounding.
 
Address
Katsushi Ijima, Hiroyuki Obiya, Gunji Aramaki and Noriaki Kawasaki, Department of Civil Engineering, Saga University, 1 Honjo, Saga, Japan
 

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