Multi-Sided Pounding Response of Bridge Structures with Non-Linear Bearings to Spatially Varying Ground Excitation

Considerable research of pounding effect on adjacent structures has been conducted in the past. However, most of them neglected the effect of multi-sided poundings. In bridges multiple adjacent bridge structures are common. Consequently, restraint due to additional neighbouring bridge structures cannot be avoided. This study addresses the effect of multi-sided pounding on structural responses due to spatially varying ground movements. Additional effect of non-linear bearing supports of the girders is also considered. The ground motions were simulated stochastically according to the Newmark-Hall spectrum. The result shows that in order to estimate the pounding and bearing forces as well as unseating potential of the girders realistically a consideration of non-uniform ground motions, end-restraint effect and non-linear girder bearings is necessary.