Seismic Design and Analysis of Precast Segmental Concrete Bridge Model

Keywords: Accelerated bridge construction (ABC).  Precast concrete.  Segmental bridges.  Seismic design.  Shaking table tests.  Vertical loads.  Two-dimensional (2D) models.  Nonlinear dynamic analyses.

Abstract: This report studies the response of a precast bridge model, designed according to the Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) techniques, when subjected to earthquake induced loads. The precast segmental bridge specimen described in this study was tested on the dual shake tables of the Structural Engineering and Earthquake Simulation Laboratory (SEESL) at the University at Buffalo, on April/May 2010. The segmental bridge model is then scaled down to a 1/2/30-scale experimental model. In order to verify the behavior of the designed superstructure model under vertical seismic loads, a two-dimensional (2D) numerical model is developed incorporating material and geometric nonlinearities. The model is analyzed under a series of vertical seismic excitations using nonlinear dynamic analysis methods, and its seismic response is evaluated considering different seismic intensities.