Influence of Low Temperatures on the Ductility of Bridge Structures in High Seismic Regions

There are no known seismic tests on reinforced concrete structures at low (wintertime) temperatures. Some studies on materials have indicated that the ductility of reinforcing steel is reduced at lower temperatures. The temperature and exposure duration at which that occurs, and the magnitude of the reduction are unknown. Some state Departments of Transportation (DOTs) use ductile detailing and capacity design principals to ensure the safety of the bridges during earthquakes and assume that the design ductility capacity for structural components in bridges is unaffected by temperature. However no supporting research exists to verify this assumption. This project will assess the influence of low temperatures on the ductility of reinforced concrete structures in seismically active regions. The proposed research will do one of two things: (1) validate the assumption that the ductility of structural members as currently detailed is sufficient at low temperatures for expected seismic demands; or (2) provide recommendations for changes to design details and methodology if it is found that the ductility is significantly reduced.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Completed
• Funding: $105000.00
• Contract Numbers:

  RES-05-001

  T2-05-01

• Sponsor Organizations:

  North Carolina State University, Raleigh

  Institute for Transportation Research and Education
  Raleigh, NC  United States  27695-7908
• Performing Organizations:

  North Carolina State University, Raleigh

  Institute for Transportation Research and Education
  Raleigh, NC  United States  27695-7908
• Principal Investigators:

  Kowalsky, Mervyn

• Start Date: 20040101
• Expected Completion Date: 0
• Actual Completion Date: 20070731
• Source Data: RiP Project 12107

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge superstructures; Bridges; Earthquake resistant design; Earthquakes; Reinforced concrete bridges; Reinforcing steel; Research projects; Seismic prospecting; Structures; Winter maintenance
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; Research; I30: Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01462897
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities
• Contract Numbers: RES-05-001, T2-05-01
• Files: RiP, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Jan 3 2013 2:12PM