Seismic Response Evaluation of Meloland Road Overpass Using 1979 Imperial Valley Earthquake Records

Abstract

During the 1979 Imperial Valley earthquake, an array of 26 strong-motion accelerometers produced records for the Meloland Road Overpass, a two-span reinforced concrete bridge structure located only 0.5 km away from the causative fault for this earthquake event. This paper describes the application of a new system identification methodology to the array of strong-motion measurements, in order to assess seismic response characteristics of this bridge. Results of this application show that (1) linear models provide an excellent fit to the measured motions of the bridge, despite the fact that it was subjected to very strong shaking; (2) the transverse response of the structure is controlled by its abutment motions, with no significant dynamic amplification in the deck; and (3) the vertical response of the bridge deck at the midlength of its spans is dominated by a single vertical translational mode whereas, above the central pier, the deck's vertical response is most affected by the vertical motions of the pier base and by torsion of the deck. Also, systematic estimates of modal damping ratios and qualitative assessments of states of stress developed in the bridge during the earthquake are provided.