Performance of bridges in the 1994 Northridge earthquake

Abstract

This paper describes damage to bridges caused by the 1994 earthquake at Northridge, California. A description of the damage and the probable causes are presented for the seven bridges that suffered some form of collapse. The majority of damage was due to column shear or combined shear and flexure failures, but restrainer failure was the cause of collapse in one bridge. The lack of damage to other bridges and to foundations is discussed. Key words: Northridge, earthquake, seismic, bridges, damage, performance.