Innovative application of ductile systems in seismic retrofit of deck-truss bridges

The proposed innovative retrofit of deck-truss bridges uses ductile devices as structural fuses to protect both the bridge superstructure and substructure. Ductile panels were designed as fuses to replace end and lower-end panels of an 80-meter-span example bridge. The article explains sources of seismic vulnerability, the proposed retrofit, and design methodology. Improvements achieved in the seismic behavior of the retrofitted bridge are summarized.