EARTHQUAKE-TSUNAMI DAMAGE SIMULATION OF A HIGHWAY BRIDGE OF WHICH SUPERSTRUCTURE AND A PIER WERE WASHED OUT

Abstract

 A continuous earthquake-tsunami response analysis was conducted in order to simulate process of damage to a highway bridge of which superstructure and a pier (P3) were washed out by the tsunami of the 2011 off the Pacific coast of Tohoku earthquake. First, an earthquake response analysis was carried out using the mainshock ground motion at the site estimated from an aftershock record. The base of P3 was found to be possibly damaged by the seismic action. A tsunami response analysis was then conducted assuming the seismic damage remained. The tsunami action was found not only surpass the strength of bearings but shear strength of P3; the result coincides with the actual damage to the bridge.