Current Studies on Seismic Pounding Effect between Adjacent Bridge Decks and Falling-off Prevention Measures

Abstract

The recent development of the seismic pounding effect between adjacent bridge decks and falling-off measures were introduced in this paper. Firstly, the computing theories and analytical methods of contact-pounding between adjacent bridge decks were presented. Secondly, the state of the art of the theoretical and experimental studies on pounding effects between adjacent bridge decks subjected to longitudinal earthquake was reviewed and summarized. Lastly, for measures of mitigating pounding between adjacent bridge decks, design methods of hinge seat width at expansion joints, design methods of longitudinal restrainers and design method of transverse shear keys were introduced in the light of pull-off-and-drop collapse of bridge decks during earthquake; and hinge seat widths in the seismic specifications of different countries were analyzed. Furthermore, it was indicated that the lack of studies on seismic pounding effect between adjacent bridge decks and falling-off prevention measures in China.