Earthquake Response of the San Francisco Freeway Structures During the October 17, 1989 Earthquake

by Eric Elsesser, Forell/Elsesser Engineers, San Francisco, United States,
Andrew S. Whittaker, Forell/Elsesser Engineers, San Francisco, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Lifeline Earthquake Engineering

Abstract:

In terms of strong motion shaking, San Francisco experienced a minor earth- quake on October 17, 1989. However, the San Francisco freeway structures (designed in the 1950s and 1960s) suffered sufficient damage so as to require their closure. In some instances, the freeway structures were partially shored in order to prevent collapse in the event of additional earthquake shaking. The damage patterns observed in the structures following the earthquake correlate extremely well with the seismic deficiencies that were identified after the earthquake [Housner, Nims].

Subject Headings: Earthquakes | Highways and roads | Highway and road design | Seismic waves | Seismic tests | Seismic design | Highway bridges | California | United States

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