Engineers News Record (ENR) issue of February 26, 2007 features the first time that a four-span full-scale bridge model was seismically tested in two directions on three shake tables. The project is funded at over $2M by the National Science Foundation (NSF) Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES). The lead PI is Dr. Saiidi from the University of Nevada, Reno, with Co-PIs from University of California, Berkeley (Dr. Fenves, Chair), University of California, San Diego (Dr. Elgamal, Chair), Stanford University (Dr. Kiremidjian) and FIU (Dr. Mirmiran, Chair). The component at FIU includes six single column tests and four two-column pier frame tests. The results from tests at FIU will be used for one of the full-scale bridges to be tested at Reno.
According to ENR, “Three more tests on similarly scaled bridges will take place over the next two years, with researchers from various universities planning to focus on specific technologies. For example, Florida International University will study a carbon or Fi-
berglas pier tube during one of the tests, says Amir Mirmiran, professor and chairman of the civil and environmental engineering department. While California has used carbon wraps as a retrofit for existing bridges, FIU will test a tube as part of a new bridge column. Concrete and rebar would be built within the tube, to be made either of carbon or Fiberglas polymer, says Mirmiran. “Glass is not as strong as carbon but provides more flexibility. It meshes better with the concrete,” he notes.” |
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