ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: Pounding between the adjacent members of the elevated bridges is an important factor that affects the safety of the bridges under modern to strong earthquakes due to the differences in dynamic characteristic of the adjacent structures and spatial variability of the ground motions. The exchange of the velocity during pounding can induced abrupt acceleration change in the adjacent frames of the elevated bridges, and the impact of the girders or the slabs of the highway bridges can generate huge additional forces to the members resulting in the spalling of concrete and the damage of the piers and abutments, even the unseat of the bridge girders.
