A shake table investigation of dynamic behavior of pile supported bridges in liquefiable soil deposits

Bridges are a part of vital infrastructure, which should operate even after disaster to keep emergency services running. There have been numerous bridge failures during major past earthquakes due liquefaction. Among other categories failures, mid span collapse (without the failure abutments) pile supported bridges founded in liquefiable deposits still observed most recent earthquakes. This mechanism is attributed effects related differential elongation natural period individual piers A shake table investigation has carried out this study verify mechanisms behind midspan deposits. In investigation, typical scaled down, and its foundations pass through loose sandy soil rest dense gravel layer. White noise motions increasing acceleration magnitude applied initiate progressive liquefaction characterize dynamic features bridge. It found that as sets in, frequency support reduced, with highest reduction occurring near central spans. As result, there lateral displacement bending moment demand on piles. also for pile, maximum will occur at higher elevation, compared interface soils varied stiffness, unlike abutment The practical implications research highlighted.