ABSTRACT
In this paper, practical techniques are introduced for detailed modelling of soil-pile and soil-abutment interaction effects for integral bridges (IBs). Furthermore, a parametric study is conducted to determine appropriate structural configurations and geotechnical properties to enhance the seismic performance of IBs. For this purpose, numerous nonlinear structural models of a two-span IB including dynamic soil-bridge interaction effects are built. Nonlinear time history analyses (NTHA) of the IB models are then conducted using a set of ground motions with various intensities. In the analyses, the effect of various structural and geotechnical properties such as foundation soil stiffness, backfill compaction level, pile size and orientation, abutment height and thickness are considered. The results of NTHA are then used to assess the effects of these properties on the seismic performance of IBs. The parametric study revealed that softer foundation soils provide an isolation effect enhancing the seismic performance of IBs. Furthermore, IBs built with shorter and thinner abutments as well as large steel H-piles oriented to bend about their strong axis exhibit better seismic performance.
