Seismic Testing of a Two-Span Reinforced Concrete Bridge
Publication: Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 13, Issue 2
Abstract
A quarter-scale, two-span reinforced concrete bridge was tested using the shake-table system at the University of Nevada, Reno. The shake-table tests were part of a multiuniversity, multidisciplinary project utilizing the network for earthquake engineering simulation, with the objective of investigating the effects of soil-foundation-structure interaction on bridges. This paper discusses the development and testing of the bridge model, and selected experimental results, including those that demonstrate the effects of incoherent motions and stiffness irregularities on the distribution of forces and deformations within the bridge system. Motion incoherency affected the asymmetric bridge response (planar torsion of the superstructure), but had little effect on the symmetric bridge response (center-of-mass displacement of the superstructure). These experimental findings are consistent with conclusions from numerical analyses conducted by other researchers. During a PGA earthquake excitation, numerous longitudinal bars buckled and fractured at a drift ratio between 5.5 and 7.9%. Despite the level of damage, detailing of the column transverse reinforcement according to NCHRP 12-49 guidelines provided sufficient column ductility to prevent collapse during a subsequent PGA earthquake excitation.
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Acknowledgments
The research presented in this paper was sponsored by the National Science Foundation through NEES Award No. NSFCMS-0324326. The NSF program directors were Steven McCabe and Joy Pauschke. The study was part of a multiinstitution project under the overall direction of Sharon Wood of the University of Texas, Austin. The writers are indebted to the dedicated support of Patrick Laplace and Paul Lucas of the UNR Structures Laboratory in the course of the shake table studies. The dedicated assistance of the following undergraduate and graduate students is also acknowledged: Hoon Choi, Robert Nelson, Melissa O’Brien, and Kelly Doyle of the University of Nevada, Reno; Mike Berry of the University of Washington; Akira Makido of Purdue University; and Mathew Dryden of the University of California, Berkeley.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 13 • Issue 2 • March 2008
Pages: 173 - 182
Copyright
© 2008 ASCE.
History
Received: Jan 10, 2007
Accepted: Jun 1, 2007
Published online: Mar 1, 2008
Published in print: Mar 2008
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