EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON TSUNAMI FORCES AGAINST PLATE GIRDER BRIDGE

This study revealed tsunami forces to a bridge model using hydraulic experiments. Hydraulic experiments were conducted using a 1/100 scale plate girder bridge model with four main girders. The hydrodynamic forces acting on the bridge model were measured with a load cell, and the flow regime around the bridge model was observed using a high-speed camera. The results showed that the model suffered uplift force immediately after the tsunami action, which was followed by downward force. Further, the water level of upper stream side became high after the arrival of tsunami, because overhanging part of the girder reflected the wave.