This project convenes a US-Japan Workshop on Earthquake Protective Systems in Tsukuba, Japan in December 1992. This Workshop will involve researchers and designers from both countries to discuss progress in the development and application of earthquake protective systems to bridges. Topics to be covered include: (1) innovative protective systems; (2) design methods for base isolated bridges; (3) design of utilities carried by isolated bridges so as to accommodate movement; and (4) full-scale verification of performance. A comparison of US and Japanese isolation designs for the same bridge will also be made. Designs will be completed before the 1992 Workshop, so that the results are available for presentation and discussion. The program also includes site visits to several base-isolated bridges as well as several major bridges currently under construction in Japan. The Workshop is expected to produce recommendations about cooperative research projects which are of benefit of both countries.
