Experimental Investigation of a Curved Bridge under Hanging-Wall and Footwall Ground Motions

Shaking table test is an important means for the seismic research of structures, and many scholars have conducted shaking table tests on bridge structures. However, relatively few studies have focused on a curved bridge with a longitudinal slope. In this research, a 1/10-scale test model of a curved bridge with the different pier hights was designed by the principle of structural test similarity. The seismic records in the hanging-wall (HW), footwall (FW), and neutral zones were selected to conducted shaking table tests. Results showed that the seismic spectrum and peak value are remarkably affected by HW ground motions and have strong destructive power. The dynamic response of the curved bridge is remarkable under HW seismic records. The motion form of main girder is spatial and produces obvious rotation under HW seismic records. The displacement response of the curved bridge is closely related to the height of piers and the angle between pier displacement and seismic input directions. The displacement responses at the beam end and the bearing displacement are related to the motion state of the main girder.