An isolation bearing for highway bridges using shape memory alloys

초록

Conventional lead-rubber bearings may have a problem of instability and unrecovered deformation with a strong ground motion. As a way of solving the problem, this study proposes a new concept of an isolation device in which shape memory alloy wires are incorporated in an elastomeric bearing. A three-span continuous steel bridge was used for seismic analyses to compare the performance of lead-rubber and the proposed bearings. The proposed bearings limit the deck relative displacement effectively with strong ground motions and recover almost original undeformed shape. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

키워드