Pounding Responses of an Expansion Joint in a Curved Ramp Bridge under Earthquake Conditions

Abstract

Kelvin contact element was used to simulate the collision between expansion joints at the pier and the abutment. The purpose was to investigate the pounding responses of the expansion joint in a curved ramp bridge under earthquake conditions. With a multilayer interchange system project, a space dynamic model of a single curved ramp bridge was established, which includes the pier, the beam, the bearing, and the expansion joint. Nonlinear time-history analysis helped compare the different pounding responses between expansion joints at the pier and the abutment in a curved ramp bridge. Two theoretical models were used under eight types of seismic conditions. Results indicate that a curved ramp bridge without an abutment expansion joint is a favorable structure for seismic design.