Two-dimensional nonlinear earthquake response analysis of a bridge-foundation-ground system

This paper presents a two-dimensional advanced nonlinear FE model of an actual bridge, the Humboldt Bay Middle Channel (HBMC) Bridge, and its response to seismic input motions. This computational model is developed in the new structural analysis software framework OpenSees. The foundation soil is included to incorporate soil-foundation-structure interaction effects. Realistic nonlinear constitutive models for cyclic loading are used for the structural (concrete and reinforcing steel) and soil materials. The materials in the various soil layers are modeled using multi-yield-surface plasticity models incorporating liquefaction effects. Lysmer-type absorbing/transmitting boundaries are employed to avoid spurious wave reflections along the boundaries of the computational soil domain. Both procedures and results of earthquake response analysis are presented. The simulation results indicate that the earthquake response of the bridge is significantly affected by inelastic deformations of the supporting soil medium due to lateral spreading induced by soil liquefaction.