UCLA

This paper presents a systematic procedure for the seismic response analysis of highway overcrossings. The study employs an elementary stick model and a more sophisticated finite element formulation to compute response quantities. All dynamic stiffnesses of approach embankments and pile groups are approximated with frequency-independent springs and dashpots that have been established elsewhere. A real eigenvalue analysis confirms the one-to-one correspondence between modal characteristics obtained with the three-dimensional finite element solutions and the result of the simpler stick-model idealization. A complex eigenvalue analysis reveals modal damping values in the first six modes of interest and shows that realistic damping ratios assume values much higher than those used by Caltrans. The efficiency of the proposed method is validated by comparing the computed time response quantities with records from the Meloland Road and Painter Street overcrossings located in southern and northern California respectively. The proposed procedure allows for inexpensive parametric analysis that examines the importance of considering soil-structure interaction at the end abutments and center bent. Results and recommendations presented by past investigations are revisited and integrated in comprehensive tables that improve our understanding on the dynamic characteristics and behavior of freeway overcrossings. The study concludes with a step-by-step methodology that allows for a simple, yet dependable dynamic analysis of freeway overcrossings, that involves a stick model and frequency-independent springs and dashpots.