Seismic Performance of Highway Embankments

In order to predict the functionality of transportation networks following a seismic event, performance of embankments under real ground motions needs to be well understood. Understanding of such performance can be realized using experimental testing or finite element analysis. This study aims to add to existing literature through conducting analytical simulations for seismic assessment of embankments using real ground motions. Specifically, in this study the goal was to develop a simple non-linear finite element models that can capture the main characteristic of the real behavior of highway embankments. ABAQUS finite element software was used to build the model geometry and define material properties. Once developed, the modes were subjected to a suite of ground motions from FEMA P695, which were scaled based on the assumption that the embankments are located in Colorado. The results showed local functional damage in the pavement of the embankments from 17 earthquake scenarios. Assessment of global performance showed that the investigated embankment only experienced slight and moderate damage.

• Record URL:
  https://www.ugpti.org/resources/reports/details.php?id=945
• Record URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/42961
• Summary URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/68496
• Supplemental Notes:
  • This document was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation, University Transportation Centers Program.
• Corporate Authors:

  Colorado State University, Fort Collins

  Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
  Fort Collins, CO  United States  80525

  Mountain-Plains Consortium

  North Dakota State University
  Fargo, ND  United States  58108

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Mahmoud, Hussam
  • Hassan, Emad M
• Publication Date: 2019-4

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 28p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Earthquake resistant design; Embankments; Finite element method; Forecasting; Seismicity
• Identifier Terms: ABAQUS (Computer program)
• Geographic Terms: Colorado
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Geotechnology; Highways; Planning and Forecasting;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01710529
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: MPC 19-382
• Files: UTC, NTL, TRIS, ATRI, USDOT
• Created Date: Jul 9 2019 11:27AM