Investigation of Seismic Response on Girder Bridges: The Effect of Displacement Restriction and Wing Wall Types☆

In the seismic design specified by Japanese Specifications of Highway Bridges (JSHB), a large gap size between two adjacent girders or the girder and abutment has recommended to be constructed in the concrete girder bridge with multi-spans in order to prevent the collision, when it is subjected to Level 2 ground motion. However, the adoption of large gap into PC bridge will increase the construction and seismic reinforcement costs since relatively large expansion joints have to be used. Also, it causes the girders falling in the presumption of strong earthquake. It has been suggested that allowing the girder collision at the abutment by restricting the girder bridges displacement, the size of expansion joints can be reduced. These conditions are able to reduce the seismic design and seismic reinforcement cost.