Reconnaissance Report on Damage of Bridges in 2008 Wenchuan, China, Earthquake

TLDR

The report presents a detailed discussion of damage to 12 bridges and possible damage mechanisms, including characteristics of two near‑field ground accelerations and Chinese seismic bridge design practices. The reconnaissance study was conducted on August 10–14 2008, surveying bridge damage during the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake and analyzing damage mechanisms and design practices. The investigation revealed that seismic design forces were insufficient, structural detailing lacked ductility enhancement, and unseating prevention devices were absent.

Abstract

This is a reconnaissance report on the damage to bridges during the 2008 Wenchuan, China, earthquake. Site investigation was conducted by the authors on August 10–14, 2008. Presented is a detailed discussion of the damage to 12 bridges as well as possible damage mechanisms. Characteristics of two near-field ground accelerations and Chinese seismic bridge design practices are also presented. An investigation of the damage finds insufficient intensity of seismic design force, inadequate structural detailing for enhancing the ductility capacity, and an absence of unseating prevention devices.