Seismic fragility analysis of continuous bridges with UDCMEJ under the excitation of seismic sequence

Abstract

Pounding and unseating have been repeatedly observed during severe earthquakes. Residual displacement between adjacent components may have already existed after the mainshock and it will get further destroyed with series of aftershocks. The uniform drift cable-sliding modular expansion joints (UDCMEJ) are constructed by connecting the supporting bars and the fuse boxes with elastic cables avoiding the excessive relative displacement between girders. The seismic analysis of bridges with UDCMEJ under the excitation of seismic sequence is conducted on a continuous beam bridge and a probabilistic assessment is introduced in this study. Conclusions are drawn from comparing fragility curves with and without UDCMEJ. It reveals that the UDCMEJ can avoid pounding between girders and the relative displacement is limited to cables’ free movement. With the contribution of the expansion joints, all of the girders work together and get a balance between displacement and force causing decreased damage probability.