Simulation and Estimation of Tsunami Loads on Bridge Superstructures

Abstract

AbstractThis study examines the estimated tsunami loads on five California coastal bridges. The quantities of interest include the horizontal and vertical forces and overturning moment. The simulations and analysis are conducted for two stages: (1) initial impact and overtopping and (2) full inundation. The first stage starts from the time when the tsunami water free-surface elevation reaches the low chord of the bridge superstructure, the water free surface rises and reaches the top of the bridge barrier where it overtops the bridge and starts to flow on the bridge deck, and until the bridge is totally inundated. The second stage occurs when the bridge first becomes fully inundated, i.e., end of the first stage, and until the most critical events, (1) the maximum tsunami water velocity, (2) the maximum tsunami momentum flux, and (3) the maximum tsunami mass flux, have occurred. The first part of the initial impact and overtopping stage leads to a combination of lateral (horizontal) and uplift (upward ver...