Shake Table Study of Bridge with Precast Post-Tensioned Segmental Columns

Precast, post-tensioned segmental bridge construction has been widely used in non-seismic regions in the U.S. for the objectives of accelerated bridge construction (ABC), higher quality control, less traffic disruption, and better workman safety. However, use of segmental bridges in moderate and high seismic regions is limited due to insufficient understanding of its behavior. This paper presents the results of a series of shake table tests on large-scale bridges with pre-cast, post-tensioned, concrete segmental columns. The seismic behavior of segmental columns was observed, segmental joint opening and closing were studied, and the self-center capability of segmental bridge was analyzed. This research is a U.S.-PRC international cooperative project established by the Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering Research, University at Buffalo, the State University of New York, under contract with the Federal Highway Administration (Contract No. DTFH61-07-C-00020), and the Chongqing Communication Research and Design Institute, State Key Laboratory of Bridge Structural Dynamics, Chongqing, China, with the International Science & Technology Cooperation Program of China (Project No.: 2011DFA83300).