Effects of Soil–Structure Interaction on Performance of Bridges During Earthquakes. Case Study: Integral Abutment Bridge in Pennsylvania, USA

Abstract Bridges are among the most important transportation elements that may be damaged by earthquakes. An integral abutment bridge (IAB) is a linking superstructure directly to substructure. As soil piles, abutments, and superstructures act as combined system resist lateral loading on bridge, stiffness has major impact load distribution. This research attempts determine how structure parameters affect IABs. The parametric study consists of four variables, namely span (short, medium, large spans were 18.3, 35.4, 64.5 m, respectively), backfill height/pressure (3.1, 4.6, 6.1 mixture backfills (high, intermediate, low), density around piles low). Because small width–length ratio 2D model an IAB with springs abutments was developed finite element software. Findings show value pressure affects girder axial forces bending moments at IAB. Also, factor change displacements, while less movement related high intermediate clay pile. It clear maximum generally decrease when behind increases, similar pile deflection displacements. In addition abutment, head moment decreases dense increases located in hard clay, moments. Lastly, sand recommended since it deflections, forces, moments, particularly