Large-Scale Validation of Seismic Performance of Bridge

Columns
 
José  Restrepo,  Principle  Investigator  
Matthew  Schoettler,  Postdoctoral  Researcher  
Gabriele  Guerrini,  Graduate  Student  Researcher  
David  Duck,  Graduate  Student  Researcher  
Francesco  Carrea,  Graduate  Student  Researcher  
 
 
 
Executive  Summary  
 
This  investigation  obtained  and  disseminated  the  first  shake  table  results  for  a  full-­‐
scale   bridge   column   detailed   consistent   with   current   U.S.   design   practices.   The  
experiment   provides   missing   data   needed   to   increase   confidence   in   analysis  
methods   and   validate   (or   improve)   current   design   methods.   It   provides   the  
opportunity   for   comparison   with   the   performance   from   past   specimens   that   have  
typically  been  tested  at  reduced  scale.  
 
The  project  tested  a  1.2  m  diameter  reinforced  concrete  bridge  column  with  a  mass  
block   of   236.7   metric   tons   (521.9   kip)   placed   on   top   of   the   column   to   mobilize  
inertial  forces.    Figure  1  shows  the  test  specimen  prior  to  testing.  The  column  was  
densely   instrumented   with   278   sensors   to   monitor   its   response.   Eleven   video  
cameras   recorded   the   response.   Wide   angle   views   captured   global   response   and  
close  up  cameras  show  the  damage  formation  at  the  column  base.    
 

 
Figure  1:  Pre-­test  setup  
Ten  simulated  earthquakes  of  varying  intensity  were  conducted  on  the  NEES@UCSD  
shake  table.  Between  earthquake  simulations,  white  noise  ground  excitations  were  
performed   for   system   identification   purposes.   Uni-­‐axial   table   excitation   and  
restraint  towers  precluded  out  of  plane  response.    
 
Damage  accumulated  in  the  form  of  concrete  spalling,  longitudinal  bar  buckling,  and  
longitudinal   bar   fractures   during   the   ten   tests.   At   imminent   collapse   during   the  
tenth  simulated  earthquake,  the  mass  block  impacted  a  safety  restraint  set  to  10%  
drift  ratio.  The  column  base  developed  and  sustained  a  plastic  hinge  accommodating  
the  large  displacements.  Damage  to  the  column  base  after  the  completion  of  testing  
is  depicted  in  Figure  2.  
 

(a) (b)
 
Figure  2:  Post-­test  view  of  the  column  base  (a)  East  face  and  (b)  West  face  
 
Performance  to  this  level  of  damage  was  as  expected  with  a  response  governed  by  
flexural   deformation   produced   by   a   plastic   hinge   at   the   base   of   the   column.   The   test  
demonstrated  ample  ductility  beyond  the  current  design  level.