The Prediction of Liquefaction Damages to a Large Span Bridge on Karoon River, Iran

Several damages have been imposed to bridges due to liquefaction of the soil layer in the position of their foundations. However, there is not a specific world - wide provisions for design of bridges in these conditions. In this paper the results of evaluating liquefaction potential and the consequence damages which is likely to happen for a large span bridge (Shirin-Shahr Bridge) to be constructed on the Karoon river (one of the main river in the south-western part of Iran) are presented. Since the liquefaction potential of a site depends not only on the geotechnical characteristics, but on the intensity of the ground motions as well, a comprehensive seismic hazard analysis was carried out to estimate the appropriate PGA in the area. At the end some geotechnical comments are suggested for the aseismic design of the bridge foundation accordingly