Investigation on the Impact of Seasonally Frozen Soil on Seismic Response of Bridge Columns
Publication: Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 15, Issue 5
Abstract
This paper presents the development of numerical models that investigated the seismic response of a simple two span prototype bridge system during warm and frozen temperatures. Models from both temperature conditions were subjected to a range of seismic intensities to examine the effect of seasonal freezing on the response of the system. Stiffness characteristics were defined using cyclic models of a bridge pier that were previously developed and validated using results from an experimental program on identical full-scale column-foundation units, which were tested during the summer and winter months. Dynamic characteristics of the seismic models were defined using approaches found in the literature. Frozen conditions increased the maximum bending moment and shear force demands for all seismic intensities, with nonlinearity in the column/foundation reducing the difference between the peak responses at higher intensities. At the depth of maximum foundation shear for the frozen model, demand was three times higher than the unfrozen for the 500-year return period and twice during the 2,500-year event. This is significant as one will assume shear is not critical at this location if the effects of frozen conditions are ignored. Apart from the smallest intensity event, increased peak lateral displacements were developed by the warm model down the length of the column and foundation. However, the displacement demand to capacity ratio was higher at the column top for the frozen model, exceeding the capacity during the 2,500-year return period event.
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Acknowledgments
The writers would like to thank the New Zealand Earthquake Commission and Fulbright for the support of Liam Wotherspoon’s studies at Iowa State University as part of the EQC-Fulbright Award in Natural Disaster Research. The writers also acknowledge Muhannad Suleiman from Iowa State University for providing the data necessary for this research.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 15 • Issue 5 • September 2010
Pages: 473 - 481
Copyright
© 2010 ASCE.
History
Received: May 6, 2009
Accepted: Oct 1, 2009
Published online: Oct 8, 2009
Published in print: Sep 2010
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