This report describes a comprehensive experimental study to investigate cumulative damage in reinforced concrete circular bridge piers subjected to a series of earthquake excitations. Twelve identical quarter-scale bridge columns were tested. They were designed and fabricated in accordance with current AASHTO specifications. Testing was in two phases. Phase I testing consisted of benchmark tests to establish the monotonic force-deformation envelope and the energy capacity under standard cyclic loads; and constant amplitude tests to determine the low-cycle fatigue characteristics of the bridge column. Phase II testing was composed of a series of analytically predicted displacement amplitudes representing the bridge response to typical earthquakes. Test observations indicate two potential failure modes: low cycle fatigue of the longitudinal reinforcing bars; and confinement failure due to rupture of the confining spirals.

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Cumulative Seismic Damage of Reinforced Concrete Bridge Piers

Full-scale dynamic testing of suspended ceiling systems was performed to obtain fragility data suitable for performance-based assessment and design. On the basis of the fragility data derived from testing, (1) the use of retainer clips improves the performance of ceiling systems in terms of loss of tiles, (2) including recycled cross tees in the suspension grid increases the vulnerability of the ceiling systems, (3) undersized (poorly fitting) tiles are substantially more vulnerable than properly fitted tiles, and (4) the use of compression posts improves the seismic performance of ceiling systems for the limit states of minor and moderate damage. Fragility curves are provided for four damage states.

Seismic fragility of suspended ceiling systems

Performance assessment of conventional and base-isolated nuclear power plants for earthquake and blast loadings

Urban Disaster Recovery: A Framework and Simulation Model

Property Modification Factors for Seismic Isolators: Design Guidance for Buildings

To assess performance of culverts during earthquakes, the authors reviewed reports from six earthquakes, interviewed highway officials in areas shaken by four earthquakes and conducted field investigations in epicentral regions of three earthquakes. Seventeen corrugated metal pipe (CMP), one thermoplastic pipe, five reinforced concrete pipe (RCP), and thirty reinforced concrete box (RCB) structures were specifically evaluated through field inspection of literature review. Five of these culverts (all CMP) were deformed into a dysfunctional condition; nine (three CMP, five RCP and one RCB) required major repairs or replacement; six RCB structures required minor repairs (epoxy of cracks). Primary causes of culvert damage were liquefaction-induced embankment penetration or spreading, slope instability, and fault rupture.

C J Beckman

Papers

Highway culvert performance during past earthquakes