Nonlinear finite element analyses of concrete bridge joint systems subjected to seismic actions

摘要

Following widespread damage to bridge joints in the San Franciscoregion from the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, the necessity forestablishing an alternative method for seismic design of bridgejoints was identified. Recognizing that conventional joint designpractice based directly on shear forces results in congestedreinforcement details, which are difficult to implement in practice,a rational design procedure was sought through large-scale testing ofbridge joint systems and subsequent finite element and strut-and-tieanalyses. The finite element part of the study is presented in thispaper, which focuses on (a) identification of compression force flowand thus the load path across the joint, (b) examination of anefficient joint force transfer model, and (c) influence of cap beamprestressing.