Shake-Table Studies of a Four-Span Reinforced Concrete Bridge

Shake-table response of a 33.6-m-long (110-ft-long), four-span, reinforced concrete (RC) bridge model with a continuous posttensioned superstructure supported on three, two-column bents was studied under horizontal bidirectional coherent simulated earthquakes. The pier heights varied, introducing a slight asymmetry about the centerline of the bridge model. The superstructure ends were supported on seat-type abutments that were connected to hydraulic actuators simulating abutment movements. The skew angle was zero. The bridge model was subjected to successive motions simulating a modified version of a record from the 1994 Northridge Earthquake. Results showed that damage was concentrated in plastic hinge regions of the columns and that the pier caps and the superstructure remained essentially elastic. The shortest pier failed, but this pier continued to carry vertical loads, and the bridge did not collapse. Despite the lack of skew, the superstructure-abutment interaction led to large in-plane rotations that caused significant residual displacements in the piers.

• Record URL:
  https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ST.1943-541X.0000790
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/07339445
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Copyright © 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers
• Authors:
  • Saiidi, M Saiid
  • Vosooghi, Ashkan
  • Nelson, Robert B
• Publication Date: 2013-8

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: References;
• Pagination: pp 1352-1361
• Serial:
  • Journal of Structural Engineering
  • Volume: 139
  • Issue Number: 8
  • Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers
  • ISSN: 0733-9445
  • Serial URL: http://ascelibrary.org/loi/jsendh

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bents; Bridge abutments; Dislocation (Geology); Earthquake resistant design; Failure; Reinforced concrete bridges; Shaking table tests; Skew bridges; Superstructures
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01487878
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, ASCE
• Created Date: Jul 23 2013 11:45AM