Experimental Evaluation of Performance of Conventional Bridge Systems

As part of a multi-university research project utilizing the Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES), a quarter-scale 110 ft (33.5 m) long asymmetric conventional reinforced concrete bridge model was tested using the shake table system at the University of Nevada, Reno. The model consisted of four spans supported on three, two-column bents of a drop-cap design and two abutment seats driven by hydraulic actuators capable of dynamic excitation. The objective of shake table testing was to study the response and performance of a contemporary reinforced concrete bridge model subjected to biaxial horizontal earthquake excitation. This included the effects of in-plane rotation, force distribution among bents, and abutment interaction. The model was designed in accordance with the provisions of the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) document 12-49. It represented an assumed prototype located in the Los Angeles area. The ground motion that was simulated was the Century City record of the 1994 Northridge earthquake. It was applied in six test runs with increasing amplitudes. At the end of Test 6, with a PGA of 1.00 g i