Analysis Effectiveness of Bridges with Partial Isolation

by Hu, Wenying

The effectiveness of partial isolation is evaluated in this study. The static design procedures for linear and nonlinear partially isolated bridges are developed. Results from the static analysis of linear and nonlinear partially isolated bridges, compared with conventional and fully isolated bridges, demonstrate that the effectiveness of nonlinear partial isolation is close to full isolation for reducing the yield force and displacement of the columns in some parameter ranges. However, increased seismic demands on the abutment displacement in the bridge are observed. Nonlinear time history analysis of the different bridge models under earthquake excitations are carried out to investigate the accuracy of the design procedure for nonlinear partial isolation. In addition, an example shows the application of nonlinear partial isolation to a practical bridge.