Techno Press
You logged in as. Techno Press

Smart Structures and Systems
  Volume 26, Number 6, December 2020 , pages 765-779
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12989/sss.2020.26.6.765
 


Nonlinear dynamic analysis of a RC bridge subjected to seismic loading
Germán Nanclares, Daniel Ambrosini, Oscar Curadelli and Martín Domizio

 
Abstract
    Collapse of bridges in recent earthquakes demonstrates the need to deepen the understanding of the behaviour of these structures against seismic actions. This paper presents a highly detailed numerical model of an actual bridge subjected to extreme seismic action which results in its collapse. Normally, nonlinear numerical models have high difficulties to achieve convergence when reinforced concrete is intended to be represented. The main objective of this work is to determine the efficiency of different passive control strategies to prevent the structural collapse of an existing bridge. Metallic dampers and seismic isolation by decoupling the mass were evaluated. The response is evaluated not only in terms of reduction of displacements, but also in increasing of shear force and axial force in key elements, which can be a negative characteristic of the systems studied. It can be concluded that the use of a metallic damper significantly reduces the horizontal displacements and ensures the integrity of the structure from extreme seismic actions. Moreover, the isolation of the deck, which in principle seems to be the most effective solution to protect existing bridges, proves inadequate for the case analysed due to its dynamic characteristics and its particular geometry and an unpredictable type of axial pounding in the columns. This unexpected effect on the isolation system would have been impossible to identify with simplified models.
 
Key Words
    reinforced concrete; bridge; control vibration; nonlinear dynamic analysis; explicit FEM
 
Address
(1) Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Facultad de Ingenieria, Mendoza, Argentina;
(2) CONICET, National Research Council, Argentina.
 

Techno-Press: Publishers of international journals and conference proceedings.       Copyright © 2025 Techno Press
P.O. Box 33, Yuseong, Daejeon 305-600 Korea, Tel: +82-42-828-7996, Fax : +82-42-828-7997, Email: admin@techno-press.com