Numerical study on earthquake induced dynamic response of skewed and curved integral bridges

Abstract

Road alignment including the bridge geometry in plan depends on a number of factors related to vehicle speed, alignment of existing roads, availability of land, funds and more. These practical compulsions often necessitate provision of skewed and curved bridges. Seismic performance of bridges is an important issue of infrastructure development for maintaining uninterrupted flow of traffic for considerable life span of the bridges. Bridge construction is specialized, cost and skilled labour intensive and so ensuring a long-life span of a bridge has great economic implications. Integral bridges are relatively light weight and these indeterminate and stable structures have been recommended by IRC: SP: 114 – 2018 in high earthquake risk zones. Although several analytical and experimental results are available in the literature regarding straight integral bridges but similar study on skewed and curved integral bridges are nor found. Hence this study considers the effect of various parameters like central angle, radius of curved bridges, skew angle of skewed bridges on important design parameters like time period, bending moment, torsional moment, support reaction etc. The Midas Civil software is used to generate results of numerical analysis which are interpreted from practical engineering point of view. Future scope of research is also indicated.