SEISMIC RESPONSES OF HIGHWAY VIADUCTS INCORPORATING BRIDGE-VEHICLE INTERACTION

Abstract

The effect of vehicle existence on the seismic response of highway bridges is investigated by means of a three-dimensional dynamic analysis considering the bridge-vehicle interaction. A dump truck is assumed to be represented sufficiently by a discrete rigid multi-body system with 12 degrees of freedom. The Level 1 ground motions determined by the seismic design code of Japan Roadway Association and observed earthquakes are used in analysis. The slip of a heavy dump truck is also evaluated during the ground motion. Observations demonstrate that the existence of heavy vehicles, which are also dynamic system, can decrease the seismic response of bridges.