Performance-based seismic retrofit of a bridge bent: Design and experimental validation

Changes in the 2005 edition of the National building code of Canada resulted in an increase in earthquake hazard for some regions in Canada. This project studied the impact of this increase on a selected highway bridge. A seismic retrofit scheme, using carbon-fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRPs), was developed and applied to the selected highway bridge bent. The retrofitting technique is based on specific performance criteria under which the retrofitted structure must meet prescribed ductility levels corresponding to selected seismic events, and its design includes a new confinement model for reinforced-concrete columns wrapped with CFRP. Using this performance-based approach, the amount of required composite materials to achieve the specified criteria was found to be much more economical when compared with the ductility requirements in the 2000 edition of the Canadian highway bridge design code. The performance of the retrofitting technique was evaluated by pseudo-dynamic tests carried out on a 1:3 scale mo...