AASHTO STANDING COMMITTEE ON RESEARCH
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF STATE HIGHWAY AND TRANSPORTATION OFFICIALS
NCHRP Problem Statement Outline
I.
PROBLEM NUMBER
To be assigned by NCHRP staff.
II.
PROBLEM TITLE
Seismic Performance of Bridge Columns with Superelastic Copper-Aluminum-Manganese
(CAM) and Engineered Cementitious Concrete (ECC) in the Plastic Hinge Region
III.
RESEARCH PROBLEM STATEMENT
The current AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design and the AASHTO Guide Specifications for LRFD
Seismic Bridge Design Specifications is achieve life safety to prevent collapse in the event of
strong earthquakes. Reinforced concrete bridge columns are designed to dissipate earthquake
energy through considerable ductile nonlinear action that is associated with severe concrete
spalling and yielding of reinforcement. Proven detailing procedures have been developed for
reinforced concrete bridge columns that ensure this type of behavior and prevent total bridge
collapse. However, for columns to successfully dissipate energy they have to behave as nonlinear
elements with substantial damage and possibly permanent drift to the point that the bridge would
have to be decommissioned for repair or replacement.
Reinforced concrete bridges are critical links in any major ground transportation network and
therefore in the event of failing after a strong earthquake they could cripple the entire
transportation system. Direct monetary losses associated with repair or replacement of bridge
structures along with indirect losses related to business disruption arising from traffic delays and
detours can greatly affect the economy of a region. In addition, it is precisely after an earthquake
when bridge structures are needed the most, allowing fire trucks and ambulances to respond in a
timely manner and providing easy passage to crews and equipment for disaster relief.
Research is needed to conduct experimental and analytical studies on innovative bridge columns
using superelastic Copper-Aluminum-Manganese (CuAlMn) SMA and ECC in the plastic hinge
region. A column model using these advanced materials te be designed and tested under nearfault ground motions on a shake table or cyclic testing. It is expected that damage to the column
model should be limited to the plastic hinge region without compromising the column’s lateral
and vertical load-carrying capacity. The superelastic effect of CAM and self-confining properties
of ECC should allow the column to exhibit high self-centering capabilities. Despite the superior
performance of columns with the innovative materials for seismic energy dissipation, the design
guidelines and method of structural analysis are not addressed in the current bridge design
specifications.
IV.
LITERATURE SEARCH SUMMARY
The performance of bridge columns with energy dissipation devices has been studied and
analytical methods to validate the experimental results have been developed. The relevant
articles listed below discuss the use of seismic energy dissipation mechanism for bridge
structures.
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1. Varela, S., and Saiidi, M., “Dynamic Performance of Innovative Bridge Columns with
Superelastic CuAlMn Shape Memory Alloy and ECC,” International Journal of Bridge
Engineering Vol. 2, No. 3, 2014, pp. 29-58.
2. Saiidi, M., M. O’Brien, and M. Zadeh, “Cyclic Response of Concrete Bridge Columns Using
Superelastic Nitinol and Bendable Concrete,” American Concrete Institute, ACI Structural
Journal, Vol. 106, No. 1, January-February 2009, pp. 69-77.
3. Saiidi, M., and H. Wang, “An Exploratory Study of Seismic Response of Concrete Columns
with Shape Memory Alloys Reinforcement,” American Concrete Institute, ACI Structural
Journal, Vol. 103, No. 3, May-June 2006, pp. 436-443.
4. Saiidi, M., M. Zadeh, C. Ayoub, and A. Itani, “A Pilot Study of Behavior of Concrete Beams
Reinforced with Shape Memory Alloys,” Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, ASCE,
Vol. 19, No. 6, June 2007, pp. 454-461.
5. Saiidi, M. and M. Zadeh, “Seismic Response of SMA-Reinforced ECC Columns,”
http://wolfweb.unr.edu/homepage/saiidi/NCHRP/Seismic/FRPhome.html.
6. Saiidi, M. and D. Sanders, “Precast Bridge Columns with Energy Dissipating Joints,”
http://cceer.unr.edu/caltrans/precast.html.
V.
RESEARCH OBJECTIVE
The objective of this research is to develop stand-alone recommended Specifications and method
of structural analysis for bridge structures with Energy Dissipation Mechanism in their columns. In
developing these specifications, consideration shall be given to constructability, safety,
maintenance and inspection issues. Develop a detailed research plan for accomplishing the
project objective. Proposals must present the proposers' current thinking in sufficient detail to
demonstrate their understanding of the issues and the soundness of their approach to meeting the
research objective. This proposed research include the following Tasks
Task 1. Review of existing specifications, technical literature, and pertinent publications and
reports.
Task 2. Identification of knowledge gaps including (a) new and modified design approach and
(b) load combinations and resistance factors, and a proposed approach to fill these
gaps in the final product.
Task 3. Analytical study of bridge columns novel bridge columns with superelastic CopperAluminum-Manganese (CAM) and Engineered Cementitious Concrete (ECC) in the
plastic hinge region
Task 4. Experimental program based on the results of the analytical testing bridge columns
with superelastic Copper-Aluminum-Manganese (CAM) and Engineered
Cementitious Concrete (ECC) in the plastic hinge region
Task 5. Identification of any items from the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications,
and other AASHTO publications that are duplicated in the newly recommend
specifications.
Task 6. Design examples using the proposed specifications and method of analysis.
Task 7. A final report that documents the entire research effort.
VI.
ESTIMATE OF PROBLEM FUNDING AND RESEARCH PERIOD
Recommended Funding:
$450,000
Research Period:
36 Months
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VII.
PERSON DEVELOPING THE PROBLEM
Bijan Khaleghi, PhD, P.E., S.E.
State Bridge Design Engineer
Washington State DOT
Bridge and Structures Office
Tumwater, WA 98501
Phone: 360 705-7181
khalegb@wsdot.wa.gov
VIII.
PROBLEM MONITOR
To be assigned by AASHTO to monitor the research, if programmed, from inception to
completion. The monitor's final responsibility will entail recommendations to the Standing
Committee on Research as to how the research results could be implemented.
IX.
DATE AND SUBMITTED BY
October 9, 2015
Tom Baker, P.E. (Primary Member)
State Bridge and Structures Engineer
Washington State Department of Transportation
P.O. Box 47340
Olympia, WA 98504-7300
Phone: (360) 705-7207
E-mail: BakerT@wsdot.wa.gov
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