Earthquake resistant structures

About: Earthquake resistant structures is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 1126 publications have been published within this topic receiving 27467 citations.

Flexibility and Stability Enhancement of Structures during Earthquakes using a Novel Geosynthetic Material

Abstract: In this research, an innovative and cost-effective earthquake resistant design technique is developed using a novel geosynthetic materials that can reduce the damages of structures during devastating earthquakes. In the developed earthquake resistant technique a smart geosynthetic material known as tire chips is utilized as a seismic performance enhancer . A series of underwater i g shaking table test was conducted on a model gravity type quay wall. Two test cases were examined. One case involves a quay wall with the conventional backfill. Another case involves a similar quay wall but reinforced with tire chips. The seismic increment of the load acting on the quay wall and the associated displacement , as well as the excess pore water pressure in various locations of the backfill were measured during the tests. The results reveal that the seismic load against the caisson quay wall could be significantly reduced using the sandwiching technique. In addition, the technique could significantly reduce the earthquake-induced residual displacement of the quay wall.

Earthquakes Will Not Damage This Bridge

Abstract: A California pipeline bridge has been retrofitted with isolation bearings that damp earthquake shocks. The bridge over Southern California's Santa Ana River carries the Upper Feeder Pipeline of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and is the second in the U.S. to be fitted with isolation bearings. These bearings isolate the bridge superstructure and the 116 in. steel pipeline from earthquake shaking and damp much of the shaking energy that does get through. The vendor claims that replacing the existing rocker bearings with isolation bearings costs only 10% as much as the alternative solution which was to make the bridge stiff enough to withstand the shaking by increasing the lateral stiffness of the columns above the piers and below the superstructure. This article describes the bridge, the isolation bearings, the dynamic analyses done to determine the magnitude of the shaking forces and displacements, and the size of the bearings selected to handle them.

Integrating Soil-Structure Interaction Analyses of Pile-Supported Wharfs in Seismic Risk Management of Port Systems

Abstract: This paper presents the general framework for the development and calibration of simplified nonlinear Winkler-type mechanical models via finite element simulations for the analysis of seismic response of pile foundations in soil conditions remediated against liquefaction. These models are currently being developed for implementation in Monte Carlo simulations for risk assessment analyses of waterfront structures, to allow computationally efficient seismic response predictions of 3D pile-supported wharves for alternative scenarios of ground motion intensity and remediation configurations. The macro-elements are formulated to account for the multitude of soil resistance mechanisms mobilized at the foundation of pile-supported structures by considering both material and soil-pile interface (geometric) nonlinearities during dynamic loading of single piles, thus retaining the physical soundness of the mechanical configuration. This paper describes work under progress, and focuses on the alternative formulations investigated to identify the optimal macroscopic model that will allow credible yet efficient simulations of the seismic performance of pile-supported structures required for the quantification of damage states in liquefiable and treated-against sites.

Bridge seismic retrofit planning program. final report

Abstract: This report documents a study that determined the effectiveness and cost of both previously used and proposed bridge superstructure seismic retrofit methods, including longitudinal joint restraining, transverse bearing restraining, bearing seat extension, replacement of vulnerable bearings with conventional bearings, and replacement with base isolation bearings. In addition, a procedure was developed for systematically prioritizing the state's bridges for seismic retrofitting on the basis of their importance as lifelines and their vulnerability to collapse.