Prediction of Observed Bridge Response with Soil‐Pile‐Structure Interaction

Abstract

A simple integrated procedure to analyze the problem of soil‐pile‐foundation‐superstructure interaction is presented. The procedure combines the available theories for the computation of the dynamic impedances and kinematic‐seismic response factors of pile foundations with a simple six‐degree‐of‐freedom structural model. The procedure is used to predict the response of the Painter Street Bridge located at Rio Dell, California, which was excited by the 1992 Petrolia earthquake. The predicted response with the proposed procedure is in very good agreement with recorded data, and the significance of considering the frequency dependent pile‐foundation impedances in predicting the superstructure response is demonstrated.