Seismic design of base-isolated highway bridges utilizing lead–rubber bearings

Abstract

A study is made of the seismic behaviour of base-isolated highway bridges with the objective of developing design procedures in the form of code-type approach. The recommendations of current codes concerning the use of energy dissipation mechanisms for the seismic design of bridges are reviewed. A model representing the bridge deck, piers, and the base-isolation system is used to evaluate the response of the bridge to a selected earthquake time history record and to evaluate the effects of various design parameters on the dynamic response. The results of this analysis are used in the development of design guidelines for the isolated bridge system. It was found that base isolation affects the design forces on piers and abutments as well as the deck displacements. An optimum design should provide a reasonable balance between the shear forces on supports and tolerable displacements. Two design procedures are proposed based on the time history and inelastic response spectra approaches. Simplified charts are presented which aid in the seismic design of new bridges as well as in the upgrading of existing ones. Key words: dynamic, seismic, design, highway, bridges, earthquake, base isolation.