Full-Scale Seismic Performance Testing of U.S. Highway Bridge Column

The current seismic design procedure for bridge columns in the U.S. are based on theoretical and computational models that are calibrated against experimental data. Nearly all of these data are from tests on reduced-scale specimens. Many critical behavior modes, such as shear and cracking of concrete, bond between reinforcing steel and concrete, and local buckling and fatigue-related rupture of steel rebars are known to be sensitive to scale.( i.e. scale effects.) Quasi-static and pseudo-dynamic tests, and reduced-scale shaking table tests, alter strain rates, which can also affect dynamic behavior. Innovative technologies, such as seismic isolation and supplemental energy dissipation systems, have properties that can be sensitive to scale and rate. The lack of shaking table data on full-scale benchmark specimens that validate our understanding of the highly non-linear, multi-axial performance of full-scale bridge columns subjected to input motions representative of large earthquakes, has led many researchers, bridge engineers and practitioners to call for the validation of current experimental testing, design and analysis methods. The objective of this pooled-fund study is to provide a benchmark of the seismic performance testing of the U.S. highway bridge column under full-scale shake-table tests. The test results from this study will be used to evaluate and calibrate current design and analysis practices; and will be compared with previous scaled model tests to understand the scale effects.

• Record URL:
  http://www.pooledfund.org/Details/Study/422

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Completed
• Funding: $790000.00
• Contract Numbers:

  TPF-5(180)

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Oregon Department of Transportation

  555 13th Street NE
  Salem, OR  United States  97301

  Montana Department of Transportation

  2701 Prospect Avenue
  P.O. Box 201001
  Helena, MT  United States  59620-1001

  Missouri Department of Transportation

  1617 Missouri Boulevard
  P.O. Box 270
  Jefferson City, MO  United States  65102

  California Department of Transportation

  1227 O Street
  Sacramento, CA  United States  95843

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Project Managers:

  Yen, Wen-Huei

• Start Date: 20120227
• Expected Completion Date: 0
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• Source Data: RiP Project 29774

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Base isolation; Earthquake resistant design; Highway bridges; Performance tests; Seismicity; Shaking table tests
• Uncontrolled Terms: Bridge columns
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01534947
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Federal Highway Administration
• Contract Numbers: TPF-5(180)
• Files: RiP
• Created Date: Aug 22 2014 1:01AM