Abstract
The behavior of upper-deck steel arch bridges in severe earthquakes is quite complex and dynamic analysis is usually necessary for seismic designs or retrofits. By involving some recent advances in seismic design of steel piers, this study proposes a new type of such bridge structures with better seismic performance and lower cost, based on dynamic analysis results using elaborate models to account for the arch ribs and stiffening girders. In this proposed structural type, box section is adopted for all members of the bridge to employ the advanced seismic design techniques developed for box-sectioned steel piers. Moreover, to lower the cost, the proposed structure type is exempt from using the isolation bearings or dampers.
