Damping-enhanced Strengthening: A Unique Way to Normalize the Seismic Performance of RC Bridges for Multiple Objectives

A damping-enhanced strengthening methodology can be implemented by integrating viscoelastic damping into a fiber reinforced polymer jacket for normalized performance objectives under various earthquakes. This methodology was applied to the Old St. Francis Bridge near the New Madrid Seismic Zone. A damping layer was represented by a series of discrete and complex springs in the finite element model of bridge columns. Numerical results indicated that a damping layer of 2.38 mm can effectively reduce the accelerations and displacements of the bridge. For the same amount of damping materials, retrofitting one end of the columns is more efficient than retrofitting both ends. The damping component ensures the operational level under moderate earthquakes and the strengthening component ensures the safety level under strong earthquakes. Together, they meet the multiple performance objectives under earthquakes of various intensities and can lead to an optimum performance design of the bridge.

• Corporate Authors:

  Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering Research

  State University of New York, 107 Red Jacket Quadrangle, P.O. Box 610025
  Buffalo, NY  United States  14261-0025
• Authors:
  • Chen, Genda
  • Karim, Kazi R
• Conference:
  • Sixth National Seismic Conference on Bridges and Highways
  • Location: Charleston SC, United States
  • Date: 2008-7-28 to 2008-7-30
• Publication Date: 2008

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 10p
• Monograph Title: Sixth National Seismic Conference on Bridges and Highways: Seismic Technologies for Extreme Loads

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge design; Damping (Engineering); Earthquake resistant design; Finite element method; Reinforced concrete bridges; Retrofitting; Structural analysis; Viscoplasticity
• Uncontrolled Terms: Bridge columns
• Geographic Terms: New Madrid Seismic Zone
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01355911
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 28 2011 8:40AM