Experiences in seismic design of structural bearings and expansion joints for RC bridges according to Eurocodes

Scientific paper - Original scientific paper

• Author: Viktor Hristovski
• Author: Marija Vitanova
• Author: Nikola Hristovski
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; Faculty of Civil Engineering
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: TECHNICAL SCIENCES; Civil Engineering

Abstract (english)

The proper seismic design of bridge structural bearings and expansion joints enables avoiding
high repair costs after earthquakes. The paper discusses some experiences of the authors in
design of bridge bearings and expansion joints according to Eurocodes. Within the scope of the
detailed design of several new road overpasses, railway underpasses and railway bridges in the
Republic of Macedonia, a special project on design of structural bearings and expansion joints
has been realized. Based on the performed analyses, several issues are discussed. First, it has
become evident that the geometry and the layout of the bridge structures have an influence on
the layout and the fixation of the bearings (i.e., fixed, guided in one direction or bearings movable
in all directions). The bridge shape in plane, the number of spans, the alignment disposition, etc.
have also affected the adoption of bearing types and dimensions. Finally, the dynamic parameters
and seismic behaviour of the bridges have appeared to be crucial in the design of the bearings.
The paper also includes a comparison between design of bearings according to the Eurocodes
and the Macedonian codes. For the purpose of comparative investigation of different layout
solutions for the bearings’ fixation, apart from static analyses, dynamic non-linear time-history
analyses, using time-history ground acceleration records that correspond to the Eurocode 8
design spectra, have also been performed. From the analyses, the most superior layouts in terms
of fixation, position and number of bearings have been obtained for each treated bridge structure.
Precious experience has been gained during realization of the project. Since the Eurocodes’
design philosophy has already moved toward development of new technologies for bearings,
it is inevitable to make changes in the Macedonian practice. This philosophy has brought more
freedom to the design process, especially in making decisions in obtaining optimum solutions
depending on predominant actions, especially seismic ones

• Keywords (english): structural bearing, elastomer, Eurocodes, EN 1337, bridge structure, thermal action, seismic action, FEM, expansion joints
• Language: english
• Publication type: Scientific paper - Original scientific paper
• Publication status: Published
• Peer review: Unknown
• Publication version: Published version
• Publication title: 1st Croatian Conference on Earthquake Engineering 1CroCEE
• Numbering: pp. 873-884
• p-ISSN: 3043-8071
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.5592/CO/1CroCEE.2021.19
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:237:614848
• Publication: 2021-03
• Conference: Title: st Croatian Conference on Earthquake Engineering; Location: Zagreb, Croatia; Start date: 2021-03-22; End date: 2021-03-24; Assembly type: Lecture
• Type of resource: Text
• Publisher: Sveučilište u Zagrebu Građevinski fakultet
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2024-09-02 08:47:06