Novel Method for Probabilistic Evaluation of the Post-Earthquake Functionality of a Bridge

While modern overpass bridges are safe against collapse, their functionality will likely be compromised in case of design-level or beyond design-level earthquake, which may generate excessive residual displacements of the bridge deck. Presently, there is no validated, quantitative approach for estimating the operational level of the bridge after an earthquake due to the difficulty of accurately simulating residual displacements. This research develops a novel method for probabilistic evaluation of the post-earthquake functionality state of the bridge; the approach is founded on an explicit evaluation of bridge residual displacements and associated traffic capacity by considering realistic traffic load scenarios. This research proposes a high-fidelity finite-element model for bridge columns, developed and calibrated using existing experimental data from the shake table tests of a full-scale bridge column. This finite-element model of the bridge column is further expanded to enable evaluation of the axial load-carrying capacity of damaged columns, which is critical for an accurate evaluation of the traffic capacity of the bridge. Existing experimental data from the crushing tests on the columns with earthquake-induced damage support this phase of the finite-element model development. To properly evaluate the bridge's post-earthquake functionality state, realistic traffic loadings representative of different bridge conditions (e.g., immediate access, emergency traffic only, closed) are applied in the proposed model following an earthquake simulation. The traffic loadings in the finite-element model consider the distribution of the vehicles on the bridge causing the largest forces in the bridge columns.

EXPERIMENTAL AND NUMERICAL STUDY ON COLUMN-FOUNDATION CONNECTION THROUGH EXTERNAL SOCKET

In practice, bridge foundations and pier columns are usually constructed with cast-in-place concrete. Precast columns are currently widely used in highway bridges in China, which can save construction time and improve concrete quality. The connection between precast bridge columns and the foundation can affect how forces transfer from one to the other. This paper investigates using external sockets to form a connection between the bridge column and foundation. This method can accelerate the bridge construction time with the additional advantages of improving the orientation and creating a large erection tolerance. Two types of connections are presented and tested to investigate the behavior of the column-foundation connections and find a more suitable way to use external socket connections. The experimental results show that the column-foundation connection design satisfies the design requirements. The results also show that roughening the column surface within the external socket is more effective at connecting the column to the foundation when using an external socket compared to attaching a steel plate on the column. The experimental results are validated with a finite element analysis, resulting in a proposal regarding the column-foundation connection behavior as well as design recommendations for the external socket connection.