Seismic Performance and Design Consideration of a Long-Span Suspension Bridge

by W.D. Liu, R.A. Imbsen and A.D. Kiureghian

Liu, W.D., R.A. Imbsen and A.D. Kiureghian (1993). Seismic Performance and Design Consideration of a Long-Span Suspension Bridge. SMIP93 Seminar on Seismological and Engineering Implications of Recent Strong-Motion Data, p. 105 - 114.

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Abstract

A 3D analytical model of the Vincent Thomas Bridge is calibrated using the measured structure responses during the 1987 Whittier Narrows earthquake. Vibrational characteristics which are sensitive to multiple-support excitations were identified.

An analytical model for the ground motion incoherency was evaluated based on motions recorded at 10 stations at Caltech during the earthquake. The motions at four stations were selected as input to the bridge supports whose spatial variation is consistent with the coherency model. A multiple- support response spectrum method is described to illustrate the application to long structures.