"This document is the English translation of ""Menshin (Seismic Isolation) Bridges in Japan""which was published in December 2011, as one of the activities of ""Research Committee on Menshin(Seismic Isolation) Design of Highway Bridges (Chairperson: Dr. Kazuhiko KAWASHIMA,Currently Professor Emeritus, Tokyo Institute of Technology)"" which was founded at the PublicWorks Research Center (PWRC). The document is releasing with the approval of the committee andthe PWRC for the purpose to introduce the Japanese current practices on seismic isolation technologyfor bridges. The translator served as Secretary-General of the Committee and contributed to developthe original document.The document is compiling the technical data on Menshin (Seismic Isolation) bridges constructed in Japan. The document contains examples of seismic isolation bridges including; bridges with unique structural characteristics; bridges repaired using seismic isolation system after earthquakes; bridges retrofitted by using seismic isolation system; the largest scale isolators; and others.The English translation was made with great supports by Professor Kazuhiko KAWASHIMA(Tokyo Institute of Technology) and Dr. Masaaki YABE (Chodai Co. Ltd.), who led the Committee activities as Chairman and Key member of the Committee. Sincere appreciations are extended to all of the Committee members who contributed to compile the original Japanese document. Headquarters Office and Regional Bureaus of MLIT who provided great supports to conduct the questionnaire survey of existing Menshin Bridges on national highways are also greatly acknowledged." |