Comparative Study of Damage and Hysteretic Energy Characteristics of an RC Continuous Girder Bridge under Strong Near-Fault and Far-Field Earthquakes

Abstract

AbstractA finite element model of a bridge that considers the nonlinear mechanical behavior of piers was built using a reinforced concrete continuous girder bridge in an expressway as the subject. Comparative analysis via nonlinear time history integration was conducted to determine the influences of frequency characteristics, peak ground acceleration (PGA), and effective duration on the magnitude and distribution of hysteretic energy and structural damage under selected typical near-fault and far-field earthquake records. The following conclusions were drawn from the result: (1) the frequency characteristics of ground motion significantly influenced the seismic response of the bridge structure, and an increase in PGA would obviously increase hysteretic energy and damage; (2) the hysteretic energy and damage of the bridge piers under near-fault earthquakes were greater than those under far-field earthquakes at the same PGA and duration, and the position of damage was considerably higher; (3) the proportio...