The Effect of Skewness on Rotational Response of the Curved Bridge Deck under Near-Fault Motions

Abstract

Acquiring knowledge on the complex behaviors of bridges in an earthquake is of utmost importance for designing safe transportation systems. Earthquakes like Northridge 1994 showed that skewed angle in the bridge could lead to the failure of abutment and column because of the intensified demand for deck rotation around the vertical axis, especially in the near-fault zone. The present study attempted to examine how the skewed angle change affects the seismic response of curved and skewed bridges. To this end, a software model of two curved and skewed bridges verified through a field test was obtained. The results showed that the skewed angle change in far-fault zones has no significant effect on the seismic responses of these bridges, while in near-fault zones its effect is remarkable. In ramp bridges, the torsional force increases in the columns next to the abutment.