Abstract

CANDEBAT SANCHEZ, Darío; GODINEZ MELGARES, Guillermo  and  CABALLERO CORNIER, Luís Felipe. Experimental methods for seismic vulnerability assesment of precast concrete bridges: "arroyito bridge." . Rev. Fac. Ing. UCV [online]. 2012, vol.27, n.2, pp.52-66. ISSN 0798-4065.

Currently seismic vulnerability studies are essential for integrated management of seismic risk, supporting making decision in order to mitigate disasters. This paper shows the estimation of the seismic vulnerability of precast concrete bridge Arroyito, located on National Highway in Santiago de Cuba, an area of high seismic hazard, based on its characteristics of design and applying a methodology for preliminary assessment of performance, supported by instrumental measurements for determining the dynamic characteristics (natural vibration period), comparing the results obtained with typical values of similar structures; besides the geophysical method of electrical resistivity was applied, with which lithological profiles were obtained, supporting the results of the seismic evaluation. Finally, the results of structural seismic vulnerability analysis in terms of the rigidity of the structure according to its instrumental periods of vibration and features of its superstructure and substructure, assessing the factors that increase the likelihood of damage face significant earthquakes are presented.

Keywords : Seismic hazard; Bridge; Seismic vulnerability; Period; Rigidity; Ground.