Response of Bridge Hinge Restrainers during Earthquakes: Field Performance, Analysis, and Design

摘要

The report presents a summary of the important findings of a study aimed at several aspects of the behavior of hinge restrainers used as a seismic retrofit measure. Details of the study are described in five other reports (15 to 19). The study included field investigations, extensive analytical studies, and an evaluation of the restrainer design method. The objectives of the study were: (1) to review the actual performance of bridge hinge restrainers during the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, (2) to simulate the earthquake effect on the analytical models of several selected bridges and study their responses, (3) to carry out a parametric study of these bridges to determine the effect of stronger earthquakes and the effect of changes in the restrainer gaps, and (4) to review the restrainer design procedure and recommend any needed refinements.