Seismic Analysis of Meloland Road Overcrossing Using Multiplatform Simulation Software Including SSI

Abstract

A multiplatform simulation of a highway overcrossing bridge is introduced where the embankments, abutments, and pile groups are modeled in a powerful finite-element (FE) package with nonlinear soil material model while the bridge is modeled in another FE package that excels in fiber-based frame analysis. The Meloland Road Overcrossing Bridge, which is heavily instrumented, is selected as a reference analysis model due to the existence of measured data. The components as well as the integrated system are verified through comparison with previous studies and measured data. The stiffness of abutments and pile foundations are evaluated by three-dimensional finite-element analysis and compared with those from previous investigations. The analytical models of abutments and foundations are combined with the structural model using the multiplatform analysis framework, UI-SimCor. The dynamic properties of the model for multiplatform analysis are compared with those evaluated from system identification techniques using recorded ground motion. Finally, response history analyses are conducted with recorded free-field ground motion. The analysis results are in very good agreement with measured response showing the promising potential of multiplatform dynamic simulation.