Virginia Tech
Finite Element Analysis of the Application of Synthetic Fiber Ropes to Reduce Seismic Response of Simply Supported Single Span Bridges
Abstract
dc:description.abstractMovement of a bridge superstructure during a seismic event can result in damage to the bridge or even collapse of the span. An incapacitated bridge is a life-safety issue due directly to the damaged bridge and the possible loss of a life-line. A lost bridge can be expensive to repair at a time when a region's resources are most strained and a compromised commercial route could result in losses to the regional economy. This thesis investigates the use of Snapping-Cable Energy Dissipators (SCEDs) to restrain a simply supported single span bridge subjected to three-dimensional seismic loads. SCEDs are synthetic fiber ropes that undergo a slack to taut transition when loaded. Finite element models of six simply supported spans were developed in the commercial finite element program ABAQUS. Two seismic records of the 1940 Imperial Valley and 1994 Northridge earthquakes were scaled to 0.7g PGA and applied at the boundaries of the structure. The SCEDs were modeled as nonlinear springs with an initial slackness of 12.7mm. Comparisons of analyses without SCEDs were made to determine how one-dimensional, axial ground motion and three-dimensional ground motion affect bridge response. Analysis were then run to determine the effectiveness of the SCEDs at restraining bridge motion during strong ground motion. The SCEDs were found to be effective at restraining the spans during strong three-dimensional ground motion.
Degree
thesis:*- Name thesis:degree_name
- Master of Science
- Level thesis:degree_level
- masters
- Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
- Civil Engineering
- Department dc:contributor.department
- Civil Engineering
- Grantor dc:publisher
- Virginia Tech
- Year dc:date.issued
- 2005
Author and committee
dc:creator, dc:contributor.*- Author dc:creator
-
- Taylor, Robert Paul
- Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
-
- Plaut, Raymond H.
- Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
-
- Cousins, Thomas E.
- Roberts-Wollmann, Carin L.
Subjects
dc:subject × 5Rights
dc:rights- Statement dc:rights
-
- In Copyright
- Licence dc:rights.uri
Identifiers
dc:identifier.*- Dc Identifier Other
- etd-07182005-141918
- OAI identifier oai:identifier
- oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/34051