Complex Phenomena in the Seismic Analysis of Existing Viaducts: A Case Study

This work presents a complex analysis conducted on a viaduct located in Sicily, south of Italy, with different FEMs both linear and non-linear. The numerical investigation concerns the complexity of both the structural scheme and the effects of seismic actions on the response behaviour of the viaduct. The FE model has been constructed based on the original draws, while the mechanical characteristics of the materials have been estimated by means of an extensive in-situ testing campaign comprising concrete coring and sclerometer tests. The expanded joints have been modelled using link elements having a linear behaviour. The springs of the link have a stiffness calibrated by the instructions provided in the original draws and/or considering dimensions and materials of expanded joints of a similar viaduct, which has been demolished few years ago. Linear and non-linear analyses have been carried out to investigate the influences of the seismic action on the global response behaviour of the viaduct, especially studying how the variation of the axial force along the piers, due to seismic signals characterized by a significant vertical component, influences the load bearing capacity of both single elements and overall behaviour of viaduct.