Seismic Performance Verification of the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge

Seismic retrofit work for the Honshu-Shikoku Bridges has recently been launched because there is a concern that seismic risk for the bridges increases. This paper presents a seismic performance verification of the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge, the world’s longest suspension bridge, against large-scale earthquakes that are predicted at the bridge location. In the verification, an analytical model incorporated nonlinear behaviors, such as geometric nonlinearity, material nonlinearity, bearing failure and collision between a girder and an anchorage, was used for dynamic analyses. And analysis was also conducted simulating damage of members which had less effect on seismic performance. As a result, although some accessory members such as expansion joints or bearings are damaged partially, it was found that taking some minor countermeasures ensured the target seismic performance.