Dynamic performance of girder bridges with explosion-proof and aseismic system

Recently, the transportation of dangerous explosive goods is increasing, which makes vehicle blasting accidents a potential threat for the safety of bridge structures. In addition, blasting accidents happen more easily when earthquake occurs. Excessive dynamic response of bridges under extreme loads may cause local member damage, serviceability issues, or even failure of the whole structure. In this paper, a new explosion-proof and aseismic system is proposed including cable support damping bearing and steel-fiber reinforced concrete based on the existing researches. Then, considering one 40m-span simply supported concrete T-bridge as the prototype, through scale model test and numerical simulation, the dynamic response of the bridge under three conditions including only earthquake, only blast load and the combination of the two extreme loads is obtained and the applicability of this explosion-proof and aseismic system is explored. Results of the study show that this explosion-proof and aseismic system has good adaptability to seism and blast load at different level. The reducing vibration isolation efficiency of cable support damping bearing is pretty high. Increasing cables does not affect the good shock-absorption performance of the original bearing. The new system is good at shock absorption and displacement limitation. It works well in reducing the vertical dynamic response of beam body, and could limit the relative displacement between main girder and capping beam in different orientation so as to solve the problem of beam falling. The study also shows that the enhancement of steel fibers in concrete could significantly improve the blast resistance of main beam. Results of this paper can be used in the process of antiknock design, and provide strong theoretical basis for comprehensive protection and support of girder bridges.