Live Experimental Test
Friday, September 25, 2009, 10:00 AM (PDT)
Seismic Simulation and Design of Bridge Columns under Combined Actions, and Implications on System Response
Double Interlocking Column I2 - Shake Table Test
(Biaxial Bending + Torsion)
For Information on the Entire Project Click Here
Previous Tests:
Circular Column C1 (Biaxial bending)
Circular Column C2 (Biaxial bending + torsion)
Interlocking Column I1 (Biaxial bending)
PI:
David H. Sanders, Professor, University of Nevada, Reno
Research Associates:
Juan G. Arias-Acosta
Sponsored by:
National Science Foundation through NEHRP under Grant NEESR-SG-0530737
Introduction
During moderate to large earthquakes, reinforced concrete bridge columns (RCC) are subjected to combinations of actions and deformations, caused by spatially-complex earthquake ground motions, structural configurations and the interaction between input and response characteristics. As a result, the seismic behavior of RCC will be seriously affected, and that in turn influences the performance of bridges as critical components of transportation systems. In addition, current analysis methods, behavior theories and design practices do not take into consideration the full range of interactions, due to the scarcity of experimental data and a lack of behavioral understanding.
In order to address the complex behavior of bridge members under combined loadings and its impact on system response, a comprehensive project sponsored by the National Science Foundation was established in 2006. This project includes researchers from six institutions, and the objectives are to develop a fundamental knowledge of the impact of combined actions on column performance and their implications on system response through analytical and experimental research.
The work at UNR focuses on the development of refined analysis and shaking table tests of scale models of bridge columns subjected to different levels of biaxial, torsion and vertical loads through real time earthquake motions. The performance of the specimens will be assessed in terms of strength, deformation, energy dissipation and failure mode. These results will be used to validate analytical tools, developing new inelastic models for RCC under combined loadings and to propose new design methodologies.
Eight specimens will be tested on the shake table facility at UNR under bidirectional excitation. The fourth of these tests will be conducted on Friday September 25, 2009. These tests are part of a small group project funded by NEESR-SG-0530737 under funding from NSF through NEHRP. Other institution involved in this project include: University of California, Los Angeles, University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Washington University, St. Louis, University of Houston, and George Washington University. One specimen configuration will be circular, while the other will be a cross section with interlocking spirals.
Handout:
A handout describing the test can be downloaded here: Download Handout
Acrobat Reader is required to view the handouts
Click here to view the FlexTPS Telepresence
Note that this link is always active and has multiple camera angles, but has no audio. Axis active-x Control will be downloaded automatically, and java is required for Internet Explorer.
Click on the link to start the Live Web Cast
Note that this link will not work until the time of transmission (Friday, September 25, 2009 at 10:00 A.M. (PDT)), has a 27 sec. delay, and will contain any commentary from the PI.
If you are having difficulties connecting to the webcast server due to server overload, please use the FlexTPS Telepresence connection. To view the webcast, please make sure you have the latest version of Windows Media Player installed on your computer, visit the Microsoft Site to download the latest version.
Contact Rodney Porter by email at rodneyp@unr.edu or via phone at (775) 682-7930 if you have any problems that prevent you from watching this broadcast.
Firewall: If you are accessing this content through a firewall, you may need to contact your system administrator regarding the availability of the streaming media port
