Seismic Performance of Flared Bridge Columns


Book Description

This report describes a joint analytical and experimental research program which investigated the influence that flares have on the structural behavior of columns. The program also verified the potential seismic performance issues associated with flared columns. Ten model columns were constructed and tested in two phases, upside down, as simple cantilevers. The columns featured both large and heavily reinforced structural flares or small, light reinforced, non- structural flares. A prismatic reference column, as-built/as-designed column, and retrofit/improved flare designs were tested for both phases. Practical solutions for analyzing, design, and retrofitting flared columns are proposed, based on this research.










Seismic Design and Performance of Concrete Multi-column Bents for Bridges


Book Description

This report describes the seismic design and performance of two concrete multi-column bents. The first unit contained a precast fully prestressed cap beam while the second unit was designed with a reinforcement concrete cap beam. A mix of conventional and headed reinforcement and mechanical couplers were used in detailing the cap beam of the second unit. Tests were performed with the objective of examining the most efficient cap beam/column details, which were established in previous joint tests, under the maximum feasible shear demand. Tests results showed that both units produced a satisfactory response when subjected to simulated seismic loading.




Seismic Behavior and Retrofit of Older Reinforced Concrete Bridge T-joints


Book Description

A series of experimental tests investigating the seismic response of reinforced concrete beam-column T-joints was recently completed at the University of California, Berkeley. The evaluated connection was representative of an interior beam- column joint from a multi-column bridge frame built in the late 1950's. Three one-third scale models, representing the as-built connection and two retrofit connections, were tested. The results of this research project are an improved understanding of the seismic behavior of lightly reinforced bridge T-joints as well as verification of a design procedure for retrofitting this type of connection.