Effectiveness of Stoppers and Shock Absorber Devices in Mitigating Earthquake Damage to Curved Viaducts with Steel Bearing Supports

Abstract

Viaducts with steel bearings are subject to damage during earthquakes. Damage to conventional steel bearings could cause viaduct decks to collapse. This study attempts to prevent large displacements by installing steel stoppers at both sides of roller bearings. Shock absorber devices (SADs) are also installed between roller bearings and stoppers to reduce pounding forces. The study then explores the effectiveness of different stopper gaps and SADs installed between roller bearings and stoppers in mitigating viaduct damage. The effectiveness of stoppers without and with SADs is also investigated. The pounding forces between roller bearings and stoppers, the displacements on the tops of piers, the displacements of superstructures, and the bending moment–curvature relationship at pier bases are evaluated accordingly. Numerical results reveal that earthquake damage to viaducts with small stopper gaps is not significant. The application of SADs is also found to significantly mitigate viaduct damage.