SEISMIC VULNERABILITY OF PRESTRESSED CONCRETE SEGMENTAL BRIDGES

For the most part, in the United States, prestressed concrete segmental bridges have been constructed in zones of zero or low seismic vulnerability. However, this method of constructing bridges is now being considered in zones of medium to high seismic activity. This then raises the question of how bridges constructed in this manner behave or respond to dynamic loads generated during a seismic event. Only one segmental bridge is known to have been subjected to a seismic event. This was the Incienso Bridge during the 1976 Guatemala Earthquake. Although this bridge did not suffer any distress as a result of the 7.5 Richter Magnitude event, there are neverhteless concerns as to the potential for damage or failure resulting from dynamic earthquake loads. With regard to the performance of segmental bridges during a seismic event, this paper raises concerns relative to segment joints, anchorage details, bond transmission length, external tendons, redundancy and pull-out of horizontally curved tendons. The intent of this paper is to point out research needs to alleviate engineering design concerns. (Author)

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Seismic Research for Highway Bridges (US-Japan Program) is a collection of Papers Reprinted Directly from the United States-Japan Cooperative Program on Natural Resources (UJNR) Panel on Wind and Seismic Effects; and the Proceedings of the US-Japan Seminars on Repair and Retrofit of Structures, 1979 to 1984.
• Corporate Authors:

  Pittsburgh University, Pittsburgh

  Department of Civil Engineering
  Pittsburgh, PA  United States  15261

  National Science Foundation

  1800 G Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20550
• Authors:
  • Podolny Jr, W
• Publication Date: 1984-6

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; References;
• Pagination: p. 97-120
• Serial:
  • Publication of: Pittsburgh University, Pittsburgh
  • Publisher: Pittsburgh University, Pittsburgh

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Anchorages; Dynamic loads; Joints; Muscular tendons; Prestressed concrete; Segmental construction; Seismicity
• Uncontrolled Terms: Seismic response
• Old TRIS Terms: Joint
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00394002
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 31 1985 12:00AM