Abstract
This paper presents fragility curves for the evaluation of a highway bridge retrofitted with seismic isolator devices. The object of this study is the Chemin des Dalles bridge over Highway 55 located in Trois-Rivières in Quebec, Canada. A series of synthetic ground motions time histories compatible with eastern Canada are used to capture the uncertainties related to the hazard. The seismic isolator model represents natural rubber bearing placed under the longitudinal girders over the bents and the abutments of the bridge. NRB isolators are placed in these locations to uncouple the movement of the superstructure and the infrastructure, increasing the flexibility of the system and decreasing the forces transmitted to the infrastructure. Finally, a set of fragility curves for the as-built and retrofitted models are compared to evaluate the effectiveness of seismic isolation to decrease the seismic vulnerability of this bridge.
Highlights
Recent earthquake damages revealed bridges as the most vulnerable component of the transportation system
This paper presents fragility curves for the evaluation of a highway bridge retrofitted with seismic isolator devices
Tavares et al [3] have assessed the seismic vulnerability of typical configurations of bridges in Quebec, demonstrating that a large number of bridges may be significantly damaged after an earthquake corresponding to the design level event adopted in Canada
Summary
Recent earthquake damages revealed bridges as the most vulnerable component of the transportation system. Tavares et al [3] have assessed the seismic vulnerability of typical configurations of bridges in Quebec, demonstrating that a large number of bridges may be significantly damaged after an earthquake corresponding to the design level event adopted in Canada. Fragility curves provide an effective way to evaluate prospective retrofit measures that aim to reduce the seismic risk and can be used in the development of a post-event action plan [4] They have been derived using empirical data [5, 6] or analytical approaches [7,8,9,10], mainly for as-built bridge configurations. Fragility curves are used to assess the seismic vulnerability and to evaluate the efficacy of seismic isolation as a retrofit measure to the Chemin des Dalles Bridge. Results of the fragility analysis of the as-built and retrofitted bridge models are compared to evaluate the effectiveness of the retrofitting measure for various levels of ground motion shaking and damage states
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