Open Access

ARTICLE

Enhancing the Structural Longevity of the Bridges with Insufficient Seismic Capacity by Retrofitting

Y.C. Sung¹, D.W. Chang², M.Y. Cheng², T.L. Chang², K.Y. Liu³

1 Department of Civil Engineering, National Taipei University of Technology
2 CECI Engineering Consultants, Inc., Taiwan
3 National Center for Research on Earthquake Engineering, Taipei, Taiwan

Structural Longevity 2009, 1(1), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.3970/sl.2009.001.001

Abstract

The seismic assessment and retrofit of existing bridges has become important in Taiwan, since the Chi-Chi earthquake in 1999. In order to ensure the safety of the traffic network, a project has been launched to assess the seismic resistance capacity of over 2,200 bridges on the Taiwan Roadway System. A detailed evaluation procedure, using the modified ATC-40 capacity spectrum method was first applied to over 140 regular bridges. The state-of-the-art nonlinear static analysis (pushover analysis) was adopted to calculate the seismic resistance capacity in terms of PGA, in order to compare the seismic demand according to the code requirement. A case study of the Li-Kun bridge in Taiwan will introduce the detailed seismic evaluation procedure. Based on the assessment results, the retrofit strategy might be established to prolong the lifetime, and also enhance the seismic resistance of the bridge. A feasible approach of using a steel jacket can extend the anticipated service life longer than 100 years. Therefore, the goal of structural longevity is achievable at modest cost.

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Keywords

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