Repair of a single pier of a continuous-curved-beam bridge with polyurethane cement

Abstract

Continuous-curved-beam (CCB) bridges are often used in earthquake-prone areas, but their design characteristics make it difficult to predict structural damage during an earthquake. A large-scale model of a CCB overpass that was damaged during the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake was created and tested on a shaking table. After one pier suffered seismic damage, it was reinforced using polyurethane cement (PUC) and retested. The results showed that the PUC repair improved the structural performance of the bridge. The use of PUC is thus a new and valid method for the quick repair of earthquake-damaged bridge piers.