The post-tensioning method has been successfully used to improve the performance of existing concrete structures. Applications of the method are rare in steel structures, however. Post-tensioning using high-strength cables or bars can be effectively used to increase the working load carrying capacity of steel structures. In this paper, the elastic behavior of post-tensioned trusses with straight and draped tendon profiles for truss strengthening is examined. The effects of design parameters such as the tendon profile, truss type, prestressing force, and tendon eccentricity on working load and deflection of trusses are studied. The results show that the allowable load of a truss increases proportionally with the increase in prestressing force and eccentricity. Post-tensioning enlarges the elastic range, increases the redundancy, and reduces the deflection and member stresses, eventually increasing the load-carrying capacity of truss bridges.Key words: post-tensioning method, steel structures, post-tensioned trusses, truss strengthening, design parameters, load-carrying capacity.

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The seismic performance evaluation and retrofit process are very important in existing bridges. If the result is not appropriate, then retrofit process are required. Among various retrofit methods, the seismic isolation is a very useful method, because it can be applied by replacing old bridge bearings. In this study, the effectiveness of seismic isolation is rationally verified. For this purpose, two seismic isolations used widely are selected and non-linear static and non-linear dynamic analyses are performed. The responses of existing bridges are compared with those of retrofitted bridge by seismic isolation bridge for earthquake of target level, and seismic performances are evaluated.

In areas of civil engineering, the resilient friction base isolator (R-FBI) system has been used due to its enhanced isolation performance under seismic excitations. However, because nonlinear behavior of the R-FBI should be reflected in seismic design, effective stiffness (Keff) of the R-FBI is uniformly applied at both peak ground acceleration (PGA) of 0.08 g and 0.154 g which use a multimodal response spectrum (RS) method analysis. For rational seismic design of bridges, it should be required to evaluate the dynamics of the R-FBI from in-field tests and to improve the seismic design procedure based on the performance level of the bridges. The objective of this study is to evaluate the dynamics of the R-FBI and to suggest the performance-based seismic design method for cable-supported bridges with the R-FBI. From the comparison between the experiments’ results and modal shape analyses, the modal shape analyses using primary (Ku) or infinite stiffness (fixed end) showed a great agreement with the experimental results compared to the application of Keff in the shape analysis. Additionally, the RS or nonlinear time history method analyses by the PGA levels should be applied by reflecting the dynamic characteristics of the R-FBI for the reasonable and efficient seismic design.