Topographic Effect on Seismic Response of a High-Pier Bridge Subjected to Oblique Incidence Waves

Abstract

Oblique incidence waves play a vital role in the spatial variation of seismic ground motions. It is important to consider the oblique incidence of seismic wave in a valley or in other complex topographies. The numerical simulation method of free field with uniform topographic under oblique incidence waves is studied first. The accuracy is then tested by analytical solutions. A finite element model of bridge-soil system is built to analyze the seismic response of a continuous rigid-frame bridge with high piers located in a deep valley with the consideration of oblique incidence waves. The topographic effect on amplitude and distribution of internal forces where determined for different oblique incident angles and different shear wave velocities of the soil. The dynamic response of this bridge under P-wave and SV-wave are summarized. The results show that the angle of the oblique incidence waves has greater effect on internal forces of the piers and piles in deep valley than in uniform field shapes. If the bridge is located in a valley, the effect of oblique incidence waves on the bridge should be considered.