Anoosh Shamsabadi

Validated Simulation Models for Lateral Response of Bridge Abutments with Typical Backfills

Abutment-backfill soil interaction can significantly influence the seismic response of bridges. In the present study, we provide numerical simulation models that are validated using data from recent experiments on the lateral response of typical abutment systems. Those tests involve well-compacted clayey silt and silty sand backfill materials. The simulation methods considered include a method of slices approach for the backfill materials with an assumed log-spiral failure surface coupled with hyperbolic soil stress-strain relationships [referred to as “log-spiral hyperbolic (LSH) model”] as well as detailed finite-element models, both of which were found to compare well with test data. Through parametric studies on the validated LSH model, we develop equations for the lateral load-displacement backbone curves for abutments of varying height for the two aforementioned backfill types. The equations describe a hyperbolic relationship between lateral load per unit width of the abutment wall and the wall defl...

Rapid Repair of Earthquake-Damaged RC Columns with Prestressed Steel Jackets

AbstractIn this study, a lightweight prestressed steel jacket (PSJ) was proposed and developed for rapid and cost-effective repair of a severely damaged circular reinforced concrete column. The PSJ is composed of several prestressed strands, and a thin steel sheet is restrained by these strands, which can be manually wrapped around and jointed to form a jacket on the column as part of a 12-h repair job by two workers. The prestressed strands restrain the thin sheet from buckling, while the steel sheet in turn prevents the strands from cutting into cracked concrete and thus preserves the prestressing forces. The PSJ was validated with cyclic (reversed) testing of two large-scale columns with lap-splice deficiency under incrementally increased displacements every three cycles. The ultimate strength and displacement ductility of the damaged column were restored to 115% and 140%, respectively, of those of the as-built column. The initial stiffness of the damaged column, however, was restored to only 84% of th...

Nonlinear Soil-Abutment-Foundation-Structure Interaction Analysis of Skewed Bridges Subjected to Near-Field Ground Motions

This paper investigates the behavior of skewed highway bridges subjected to earthquake loading with strong velocity pulses. The behavior of bridges with skewed abutments in the longitudinal direction is strongly coupled by transverse loading. The interaction between skewed bridge abutment foundations and backfill has a strong impact on dynamic bridge response. While bridge structures may remain in the linear range during seismic loading, local nonlinear behavior at the abutment–embankment interface can cause significant nonlinear bridge structure response. Skewed bridge models are presented incorporating soil–abutment–structure interaction using nonlinear abutment springs. As a case study, a global three-dimensional nonlinear finite element model of the skewed and seismically instrumented Painter Street overpass in Rio Dell, California, with monolithic abutments was developed. The model used nonlinear foundation–soil interaction based on approach soil properties from geotechnical tests. A soil continuum finite element analysis was performed using constitutive hardening soil material to evaluate abutment backfill passive resistance considering backwall skew. The bridge response resulting from seismic ground motion records was compared with structure response data. The computer models represented fairly well the overall seismic response of the skewed bridge. Bent pile foundations had much less impact on overall bridge response than the abutments. Near-fault ground motions with high-velocity pulses generated asymmetrical impulsive loading and large displacements in transverse directions leading to significant rotation and residual deck displacement. These permanent structure displacements can control the design of the abutment seat width and shear keys and could exceed column displacement capacity and impose additional moment at the column not considered in current design.

Bridge Instrumentation: Needs, Options, and Consequences

Seismic design procedures are in transition from strength-based to performance-based approaches. Faster and larger computers and improved nonlinear behavior models have paved the way. Nevertheless, validations of these predictive models have typically been confined to experiments conducted at the component scale. Controlled experiments at the system level are scarce. At the present time, the next best option for model validation is to use dynamic data collected from instrumented structures. These data include recorded accelerations due to impact excitations, ambient forces, weak or distant earthquakes, and strong ground motions. Different techniques are needed to extract useful information for such diverse types of data. Herein, we examine a long-span bridge located in California-which is instrumented through the joint efforts of Caltrans and the California Strong Motion Instrumentation Program (CSMIP)-as a case study for demonstrating how and what types of information may be extracted from recorded data that bear consequences for engineering practice. Some of the highlights of this study include the observation of some inconsistencies between data and meta-data, calculation of wave delays, and response prediction with updated finite element models.

Backbone curves with physical parameters for passive lateral response of homogeneous abutment backfills

Recent advances in performance-based seismic assessment and design of bridges call for the development of computationally efficient models with high fidelity for nonlinear static pushover and transient dynamic analyses. Response models of bridge abutment systems are significant ingredients of such analyses. Herein, we present closed-form relationships for lateral response of abutment backwalls with uniform backfills. These relationships are obtained by performing extensive parametric studies with a previously validated limit-equilibrium model coupled with hyperbolic soil stress–strain relations. The resulting “Generalized Hyperbolic Force–Displacement (GHFD)” backbone curve has explicit dependencies on the physical properties of the abutment system, including the backwall height. All input parameters to the GHFD relationships are measurable via standard geotechnical laboratory tests. We also perform a validation study using published measurements from several field and laboratory experiments. The GHFD equations are in closed form and can easily be implemented in a structural analysis package as a nonlinear spring that accounts for the bridge abutment–backfill interaction.

Seismic Analyses For The Fourth Bore of Caldecott Tunnel

This paper presents a brief summary of seismic analyses for Caldecott Tunnel Improvement Project. It includes seismic hazard analysis, wave scattering analyses to evaluate soil structure interaction (SSI) for the proposed 4 th bore, and development of seismic coefficient for slope stability design. Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Analysis (PSHA) was used to establish the rock motion criteria; 1,500-year and 300-year return periods were adopted for the Safety Evaluation Earthquake (SEE) and Functional Evaluation Earthquake (FEE), respectively. The wave scattering analyses were performed using the spectrum-compatible time histories to account for localized geologic features including site specific topography and soil properties specific to the current project. The analyses enable evaluation of the degree of ground distortion that contributes to racking and ovaling of the tunnel liner. Seismic coefficients for several critical slopes near portals were also derived considering the concept of wave propagation within the slope mass.