New Seismic-Resisting Connections for Concrete-Filled Tube Components In High-Speed Rail Systems

In seismic design of transportation structures there are several competing demands that must be met: high strength and stiffness, large ductility, damage resistance and efficient construction. Prior research at the University of Washington (UW) demonstrates that concrete-filled tubes (CFTs) can meet these competing demands. For a given diameter, CFTs have larger strength and stiffness than an RC component. Testing of CFT connections demonstrates their ductility, with drift capacities larger than 8%. When used with precast components, CFTs facilitates accelerated bridge construction (ABC). This research builds on the prior CFT research to develop connections specific for use in structural systems for high-speed rail (HSR). While the Florida International University (FIU) study focuses on the column-to-cap connection, this study will investigate a new, untested direct column-to-pile connection. This connection is critical to the structural performance and cost of the system, but few studies have focused on it, in particular for ABC. This study will advance design and construction of pile connections for HSR. The research will investigate the connection and HSR system response using advanced, nonlinear analysis methods. A thorough literature review will identify types of connections and document their structural response; the UW team will work with the HSR team to identify one or more connections for further study. Using high-resolution finite element modeling, salient parameters of selected connections, including materials, geometry, and soil-structure interaction, will be studied. Those results will be used to develop spring and line-element nonlinear models of the components and connections as a function of the important connection parameters. The final research task will investigate the seismic response of a prototype HSR CFT system using these nonlinear models. Connection design details, seismic performance objectives, seismic hazard levels, and soils will be varied to study their impact. The results will provide important initial guidelines for the connection design and seismic performance which will found a future experimental research study to validate the work

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Contract to a Performing Organization has not yet been awarded.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Completed
• Contract Numbers:

  69A3551747121

• Sponsor Organizations:

  University of Washington, Seattle

  Washington State Transportation Center
  1107 NE 45th Street
  Seattle, WA  United States  98105

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Start Date: 20180601
• Expected Completion Date: 20201231
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge construction; Bridge design; Bridge piers; Columns; Concrete; Earthquake resistant design; Finite element method; High speed rail; Soil structure interaction; Structural connection; Tubing
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; Design; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01727182
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Accelerated Bridge Construction University Transportation Center (ABC-UTC)
• Contract Numbers: 69A3551747121
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Jan 6 2020 2:00PM