Earthquake Engineering Research Institute
Learning From Earthquakes

Field Teams: Finale Emilia Viaduct 29-05-2012

February 4, 2018

This post presents some photos and observations from the Eucentre field teams when they visited a damaged viaduct in Finale Emilia.

Date: 29-05-2012

Category: Bridge

Typology: R.C.

Municipality: Finale Emilia

Distance from epicenter: 10 km

Damage Typology

Transverse dislocation in some spans of the deck (approximately 20 cm); further transverse displacements could induce the complete loss of support for the beams of the deck which could directly lay on the top of the pier. The action of the seismic sequence along the longitudinal axis of the deck produced the mutual pounding of the beams, as well as slight residual displacements.

 

         
Figure 1. Detail of the three most transversally displaced spans of the bridge.   Figure 2. Transverse residual dislocation (approximately 4 cm increased following the May 29th aftershocks).
     
     
 
Figure 3. Peak displacement equals 20 cm.   Figure 4. Induced earthquake joint.
     
     
 
Figura 5. Peak residual vertical displacement (2 cm) in correspondence of the north abutment.   Figure 6. Transverse residual displacement of the deck in correspondence of south pier (20 cm).
     
     
Figure 7. Preparation of hydraulic jacks.