Statistical analysis of pedestrian bridges damaged during 2010 Chile earthquake

Abstract

A database of 188 pedestrian bridges located in the main highways of the central region of Chile,of which 19 suffered partial or total collapse, was constructed to obtain the critical variables thatexplain the observed damage to pedestrian bridges during the 2010 Chile earthquake. Thestructures were classified according to their structural configuration, seismic zone, location, andsoil classification among others. The database also includes a detailed description of theobserved damage and the required repairing action of each bridge. Seven different structuralbridge configurations were identified in terms of the beams materials (steel or concrete), thepresence or absence of concrete stoppers and seismic bars, and the type of connection betweenbeams and columns. The main variable that controlled the pedestrian bridges behavior was thestructural configuration. Pedestrian bridges with monolithic connection between girders andcolumns had the best performance, while the configuration of simply supported steel beams, withseismic bars and without concrete stoppers, performed worst. It is urgent to modify the currentseismic bridge design code and to develop a new and continuous seismic hazard map of Chile.Also, it is necessary to update the classification of the soil, and develop a more demanding codefor soft soils.