Background:
IDOT developed its Earthquake Resistance Strategy (ERS) for bridges in mid-2005. It was initially implemented in late 2006 and revised in late 2007 to reflect increased design accelerations adopted into the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Official’s bridge design code and a new seismic bridge design guide specification. The primary objective of IDOT’s ERS strategy is to prevent span loss. IDOT is confident about the robustness of its developed ERS strategy but also realizes that more experiments and sophisticated finite element models would provide valuable information that could lead to improvements.
Photo: Investigators show the testing equipment to IDOT.
Research:
ICT investigators are using both experimental and computational research to investigate, validate, calibrate, and adjust (if necessary) high-priority components of the current Illinois Earthquake Resisting System strategy. The work will focus on the specific seismic hazard and structural characteristics appropriate for Illinois.
Outcome:
A revised strategy will lead to a more rational and consistent bridge design approach that can best balance necessary structural safety with design methodologies, construction practices, and construction costs appropriate for the state of Illinois. The expected results include verification of bearing fuse capacities and prevention of span loss during a seismic event. Therefore, new bridges will have enhanced safety and robustness, require less design effort since safe and effective configurations will be identified, and have reduced costs as compared to current approaches.
PIs: James LaFave, Jerome Hajjar, Larry Fahnestock, and Doug Foutch.