Upgrading of isolated bridges with uniform gapped HS devices

Abstract

The conducted extensive experimental seismic analysis showed seismic performances of a constructed large-scale bridge model representing system of upgraded isolated bridge with uniform gapped horizontal S-shaped devices (GHS System). The GHS system constituted double spherical rolling isolating bearings (DSRIB) and created original uniform horizontal S-shaped multi-gap (HS-MG) energy dissipation devices. With conducted laboratory cyclic tests, stable all-directional hysteretic responses were confirmed for both the DSRIB and HS-MG devices. In the dynamic seismic shaking table testing, the GHS bridge system showed favourable seismic response performances contributing to efficient bridge system protection. The established new GHS system exhibited large potential for qualitative improvement of seismic safety of isolated bridges exposed to very strong earthquakes.