Application of Energy Absorbing Connecters to Elevated Bridges

Abstract

The effectiveness of energy absorbing connecters is investigated for steel continuous girder supported by rubber bearings. Steel bellows as energy absorbing devices are connected between girders in a row. The influence of boundary conditions is examined using two models of five and seven segments in which a continuous steel girder is treated as one segment. The periods of each segment are changed in various kinds by combining several rubber bearings and each case is examined. Yield strengths of steel bellows are so decided as to avoid the collision between girders. The effectiveness of steel bellows as energy absorbing connectors is confirmed by non-linear time-history analyses.