Failure Investigation and Retrofit Strategies of a 22-Span Steel Girder Bridge during the 2010 Chile Earthquake

This paper presents a case study on the Cardinal Raúl Silva Henriquez Bridge that was significantly damaged during the Chile Earthquake on February 27, 2010. Field observations and finite element simulations indicated that the bridge failed mainly because the excessive longitudinal load of 22 continuous steel-girder spans was transferred from the girders to their bearing masonry plates at two abutments with a weld connection detail, locally bending the girders due to axial load eccentricity. Parametric studies demonstrated that an effective retrofit strategy can be developed by reducing the number of continuous spans, modifying the connection detail, and increasing the capacity of girders with enlarged bearing seats, additional stiffeners for girders, and thicker flanges and webs.