Seismic Failure Mechanisms and Reinforcement Strategies of Liquefiable Valley Site-Bridge Systems
Abstract
In this paper, a three-dimensional (3D) finite element model (FEM) was established to investigate the seismic failure mechanisms of the bridge system in liquefiable site. Meanwhile, two reinforcement strategies were proposed and their effectiveness was evaluated. The results show that the soil liquefaction causes symmetrical lateral spreading on both sides of the valley. The deformation of the piers and piles far exceeds their yield level. The deck occurs differential vertical deformation. The ductility demands of structures are significantly reduced by increasing the number of abutment piles. This study provides a theoretical foundation for seismic design and reinforcement of bridges in complex liquefiable river valleys.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Seismic Performance and Analysis
Geotechnical Engineering and Underground Structures
Geotechnical Engineering and Soil Mechanics
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Journal of Earthquake Engineering
- Volume
- 30
- Issue
- 9
- Pages
- 1952–1974
- Publication date
- 19 January 2026
- Language
- EN