Automated Cost-Effective Optimal Design of Seismic Isolation Systems in Bridge Retrofitting Addressing Expansion Joint Gaps and Local Site Soil Variability

KARAKAŞ A. İ.

Journal of Earthquake Engineering, cilt.30, sa.6, ss.1470-1508, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 30 Sayı: 6
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1080/13632469.2025.2603363
  • Dergi Adı: Journal of Earthquake Engineering
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Compendex, INSPEC
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.1470-1508
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Lead-rubber bearing, seismic isolation, site effects, structural optimization, viscous damper
  • Karadeniz Teknik Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

This study investigates optimal seismic isolation system design for bridge retrofitting using lead-rubber bearings (LRBs) and viscous dampers (VDs), considering varying expansion joint gaps and local site class (LSC) conditions. An automated optimization framework ensures cost-effective performance under elastic displacement constraints. The study shows that a certain minimum gap is critical to avoid pier strengthening, while larger gaps can substantially reduce retrofitting costs for weak soils by limiting LRB and VD demands. LRBs become less effective with highly flexible piers and incorporating pier foundation stiffness in optimal design yields negligible effects on rock sites but enables up to 40% cost savings in seismic devices for soft soil sites. Moreover, LSC distributions can significantly influence retrofit efficiency in terms of isolator displacement and damper force demands.