SEISMIC BEHAVIOR OF STEEL MONORAIL BRIDGES UNDER TRAIN LOAD DURING STRONG EARTHQUAKES

This paper investigated dynamic responses of steel monorail bridges incorporating train-bridge interaction under strong earthquakes. Two types of steel monorail bridges were considered in the study: a conventional type with steel track-girder; an advanced type with composite track-girder and simplified lateral bracing system. During strong earthquakes, monorail train was assumed standing on the track-girder of monorail bridges. Observations through the analytical study showed that considering the monorail train as additional mass rather than a dynamic system in numerical modeling overestimated effect of the train load on seismic performance of monorail bridges. Earlier plastic deformations at the end bracing of the girder system absorbed seismic energy and reduced the stress at the pier base.