Performance of Advanced Materials during Earthquake Loading Tests of a Bridge System

Abstract

Three unconventional details for the plastic hinge regions of bridge columns subjected to seismic loads were developed, designed, and implemented in a large-scale, four-span RC bridge. Superelastic shape memory alloys (SMAs), engineered cementitious composites (ECCs), posttensioned columns, and elastomeric bearings were used in three different piers to improve the seismic performance of the bridge in terms of minimizing damage and reducing residual displacements. The bridge model was subjected to a series of biaxial earthquake excitations with increasing amplitudes. The experimental results showed that, besides being effective in reducing permanent displacement of the bridge, the high-performance materials and details substantially reduced the damage at plastic hinge regions and modified significantly other response parameters of the bents compared with conventional RC construction. Higher ductility was observed in the pier with the SMA/ECC combination, and larger load capacity was exhibited by the pier with elastomeric pads. While rotations at the plastic hinges with high-performance materials were significantly larger than those measured at plastic hinges made of conventional RC, the measured residual strains in the longitudinal reinforcement in the plastic hinges with innovative details were smaller than those observed in RC plastic hinges.