A coupled BEM/FEM approach for the numerical simulation of bridge structures

The paper presents a coupled Boundary Element Method (BEM) and Finite Element Method (FEM) approach for the numerical simulation of 3D reinforced concrete structures under earthquake loads. The coupled approach, as well as a reinforced concrete fiber model have been implemented in a finite element software package. The latter giving the possibility to investigate also structural nonlinearities. The practical use of the presented method is illustrated for the motorway bridge over the Warth valley in Austria. Different simulations of the bridge demonstrate the importance of considering the Soil-Structure Interaction effects for civil engineering structures in regions with a high seismic risk.