Quantification and calibration of fuse capacity for elastomeric bridge bearings in regions with high-magnitude earthquakes at long recurrence intervals

J. S. Steelman, J. F. Hajjar, J. M. LaFave, L. A. Fahnestock

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

Abstract

Elastomeric bridge bearings are commonly utilized as non-seismic expansion bearings to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction of bridge superstructures in service. These same bearings can also be relied upon to provide an effectively isolated response when bridges are subjected to earthquake effects, protecting other elements of the bridge from incurring inelastic demands, provided that components with anchorage to the substructure are properly detailed to fuse at a desired threshold of force transmission from super- to substructure. This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation of common transverse retainer configurations employed in the state of Illinois with elastomeric bearings. The experiments demonstrated that the mechanistic response was primarily sensitive to the width of the retainer components in the transverse direction of the bridge. With appropriate design methodologies, the retainers will fuse in a more reliable manner with a capacity dictated principally by the steel anchor, rather than crushing of concrete at the retainer toe, and the bridge will exhibit a clear transition to an effectively isolated response. Accordingly, the peak force demand required for non-seismic expansion bearings to transition from elastic to fused configurations can be quantified and calibrated to desired force protection thresholds to prevent damage to substructures.

Original languageEnglish (US)
DOIs
StatePublished - 2014
Event10th U.S. National Conference on Earthquake Engineering: Frontiers of Earthquake Engineering, NCEE 2014 - Anchorage, United States
Duration: Jul 21 2014Jul 25 2014

Other

Other10th U.S. National Conference on Earthquake Engineering: Frontiers of Earthquake Engineering, NCEE 2014
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityAnchorage
Period7/21/147/25/14

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology

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