EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF ULTIMATE BEHAVIOR OF METAL BRIDGE BEARINGS UNDER SEISMIC LOADING

Abstract

The ultimate behavior of various types of metal bridge bearings under seismic loading is studied experimentally using real-size models, and their behavior is evaluated analytically. Firstly, material tests of several types of steels, used in the bearings, are conducted, and their ductility and strength are clarified. Secondly, detailed experimental methods of the bearings are described. The loading methods, which simulate the behavior of the bearing under actual loading conditions, are proposed. Based on the experimental results, the ultimate behavior of the bearings is presented. The seismic capacities of the bearings calculated by the standard design procedure are also evaluated by the experimental results. Finally, the two types of the bearings are analyzed by the 2D finite element method, and the models are found to agree well with the experimental results.