Analysis of Influence of Geometric and Material Properties on Dynamic Resistance of Overpasses Subjected to the Impact of Mining Tremors

Abstract

This research paper presents the results of the analysis of the influence of geometric and material properties on the dynamic resistance of road overpasses of reinforced concrete slab span structure. The research was based on the database regarding the resistance of 3,000 structures with different geometric and material properties. The database compared the results of multiple numerical FEM simulations using the response spectrum method and a set of criteria for assessing dynamic resistance. The requirements set forth in Eurocode 8 and its adaptations to the seismic conditions prevailing in Legnica-Głogów Copper District (Poland) were applied. Reasons were given for the selection of 1,499 structures with properties which were characteristic for the existing bridges located within the range of mining impacts which took the form of continuous surface deformations. Then, the selected group of structures was subjected to a detailed analysis of dynamic resistance based on the criterion condition regarding the strength of the spans. The influence of geometric and material properties of a selected group of bridge structures on shaping the permissible values of vertical accelerations of ground vibrations (av,dop ) was analyzed. The results of preliminary analyzes made it possible to build a statistical predictive model. It was demonstrated that this model, using only basic geometric and material properties, allowed to replace the complex dynamic analysis of the discussed criterion. This paper also outlines further research studies on the analyzed issue.