ACI Committee 341-C

State-of-the-Art Summary
Seismic Evaluation and
Retrofit
Techniques for Concrete

Committee 341-C

Retrofit of Concrete
Bridges
Sub-committee
members:
Dawn Lehman and Sri Sritharan (co-chairs)
Adolfo Matamoros, Anthony Powers, David
Sander (authors)
Ayman Salama, Raj Valluvan, Eric Williamson

Additional Contributions:
Photographs: NISEE Image Database
Analysis of SR-99: WashDOT
UW: Blake Inouye, John Stanton, Dawn
Lehman

Bridge Damage in Previous

Earthquakes

1971 San Fernand

Bridge Damage in Previous

Earthquakes
1989 Loma
Prieta

Bridge Damage in Previous

Earthquakes
1994 Northridge

Bridge Damage in Previous

Earthquakes
1995 Kobe

Report Objectives
Describe key aspects of seismic retrofit
program
General understanding of each phase
Conceptual design and analysis methods

Emphasize design for structural stability

Rich resource of appropriate references

Phases of Retrofit Program

SEISMIC
VULNERABILITY
EVALUATION
SEISMIC
EVALUATION
OF EXISTING
SYSTEM
SELECTION AND
DESIGN OF
RETROFIT
MEASURES
IMPLEMENTATIO
N

Structural
Vulnerabilities
Seismic
Hazard
Socio-Economic
Consequences
System
Capacity
Seismic
Demand
Demand/Capacity
Ratio
Member
Response
Global
Response
Resource
Evaluation
Multi-Phase
Program

Phases of Retrofit Program:

Seismic Vulnerability
Evaluation
of Site-Specific
Evaluation
Hazard
Local Soil
Conditions
Soil Response and
Failure

Site
Site
Path
Source

Phases of Retrofit Program:

Seismic Vulnerability
Evaluation
of Structural
Evaluation
Vulnerability
Geometry
Date of Design and
Construction

Phases of Retrofit Program:

Seismic Vulnerability
Evaluation
of Socio-Economic
Evaluation
Consequences

Casualties
Lifeline
Interruption
Economic
Impact

Phases of Retrofit Program:

Seismic Demand/Capacity
Evaluation
of Seismic
Evaluation
Capacity
Determine as-built
conditions
Existing material
properties
Estimate capacity of
components

(Priestley et al., 1994)

Phases of Retrofit Program:

Seismic Demand/Capacity
Evaluation
of Seismic
Evaluation
Demand
Established Analysis
Methods
Linear or Nonlinear
Multi-Spectra or TimeHistory

Phases of Retrofit Program:

Seismic Demand/Capacity
Determine
Evaluation

A
c
c
e
l
e
r
a
t
i
o
n

Demand/Capacity Ratios
Global Displacement
and
Local Deformations
Forces

Period

Phases of Retrofit Program:

Seismic Retrofit Measures
Based on Demand/Capacity
Evaluation
Select at Member and/or
System Level
Address Global Response

Phases of Retrofit Program:

Implementation
Multi-Phase Retrofit
Programs
Depends on State and
DOT

Figure 1.2 Typical Cable Restrainer System

Courtesy of the University of Washington

Initial Retrofit
Measures
Cable Restrainer

More Costly
Measures:
Beam and Column

Presentation of Report
SEISMIC
VULNERABILITY
EVALUATION
SEISMIC
EVALUATION
OF EXISTING
SYSTEM

David
Sanders

Adolfo
Matamoros

SELECTION AND
DESIGN OF
RETROFIT
MEASURES

Sri
Sritharan
Tony
Powers

INTRODUCTION
CONCLUSIONS
EDITING

Dawn
Lehman

Seismic Vulnerability
Evaluation

Bridge Geometry
Structural Redundancy
Expansion Joints
Age of Design ~ Vulnerable
Elements
Structural Condition
Condition of Supporting Soil

Seismic Vulnerability
Evaluation

Bridge Geometry
Bent Configurations
Degree of Skew or Curvature
Flared Columns
Short Seat Widths
Multi-Level Systems
Multiple
Superstructure
Types

Seismic Vulnerability
Evaluation

Vulnerable Elements

Columns
Cap Beams
Joints
Foundations
Hinges and Supports
Superstructure
Abutments

Inadequate Confinement
Inadequate Shear Strength
Location and Strength of Lap

Seismic Vulnerability
Evaluation

Vulnerable Elements

Columns
Cap Beams
Joints
Foundations
Hinges and Supports
Superstructure
Reduced Flexural
Abutments

Strength
(Insufficient Bar
Anchorage)
Inadequate Shear

Seismic Vulnerability
Evaluation

Vulnerable Elements

Columns
Cap Beams
Joints
Foundations
Hinges and Supports
Superstructure
Insufficient Bar
Abutments

Anchorage
Inadequate Shear
Strength
Inadequate Joint

Seismic Vulnerability
Evaluation

Vulnerable Elements

Columns
Cap Beams
Joints
Foundations
Hinges and Supports
Superstructure
Abutments
Insufficient Flexural
Strength
Inadequate Shear
Strength

Seismic Vulnerability
Evaluation

Vulnerable Elements

Columns
Cap Beams
Joints
Foundations
Hinges and Supports
Superstructure
Abutments
Insufficient Seat
Length
Bearing
Instability

Seismic Vulnerability
Evaluation

Vulnerable Elements

Columns
Cap Beams
Joints
Foundations
Hinges and Supports
Superstructure
Abutments
Lack of Transverse
Shear Keys
Damage from Skewed
Bridges

Seismic Evaluation
Seismic Demand
Seismic Capacity
Demand/Capacity Ratios

Seismic Evaluation:

Seismic Demand
Determine Appropriate Analysis
Method
Linear
Nonlinear

Develop Model
Evaluate Demands for Design
Earthquakes

Seismic Demand Evaluation:

Appropriate Analysis
Linear
Method

Single-Mode Response Spectrum

Simple System
Regular Mass and Stiffness

Multi-Mode Response Spectra

More Complex System
Irregular Mass, Stiffness Geometry

Time History
Complex System
Soil Springs/Dampers

Seismic Demand Evaluation:

Appropriate Analysis
Method

Nonlinear Analysis Methods

Limit or Pushover Analysis

Demands on System (Target Displacement)

Paired with a Dynamic Analysis

Stand Alone Frame Analysis

Provides Information on Nonlinear
Behavior
Neglects Frame and Abutment Interaction

Time History Analysis

Example of:

Appropriate Analysis
Method
SR-99 Bridge
Partial Retrofit
Different
Superstructure
Systems
Retrofit
Outrigger
Joints and
Beams?

Example of:

Appropriate Analysis
Time-History
Method
Analysis
Steel & South
Gap Elements
Concrete Structures
Soil Springs
Off-ramp
Abutment
Abutment

North +North
Off-ramp

Steel
Steel South

Example of:

Appropriate Analysis
Method
Modeling Issues

Material Strengths
Effective Stiffness Values
Stiffness of Jacketed Columns
Model of Superstructure
Stiffness of Adjacent Structures
Soil Springs and Dampers

Example of Appropriate Analysis

Method:
GapVerification
Closures
Model

Predicted: 72 yr. EQ Actual: Nisqually EQ

Red Gaps = Closed

Example of:

Appropriate Analysis
Analysis Results: Method
Drift Demands in Outrigger Joints
ID Yielding Columns

From Capacity Evaluation:

Joint Shear Stress Demands
Beam Torsion Demands
Beam Shear Demands

Seismic Evaluation:

Seismic Capacity
Determine Expected Material
Strengths
Overstrength in Concrete: Aging
Overstrength in Steel: StrainHardening, Material

Calculate Element Capacities

Calculate Flexural Capacities
Calculate Shear Strength
Calculate Anchorage or Development
Strength

Seismic Capacity/Demand
Evaluation
1. Calculate D/C Ratios for All
Elements
2. Determine Critical Failure
Modes/Elements
3. Determine Appropriate Retrofit
Measures

Example of:

Demand/Capacity Evaluation
Critical
Elements
Beam in Torsion
Exterior
Anchorage in
Joint

Retrofit Measure
Steel Jacketing
Beams & Joints

Presentation of Report
SEISMIC
VULNERABILITY
EVALUATION

SEISMIC
EVALUATION
OF EXISTING
SYSTEM

SELECTION AND
DESIGN OF
RETROFIT
MEASURES

David
Sanders

Adolfo
Matamoros

Sri
Sritharan
Tony
Powers

ACI Subcommittee 341C

STATE OF THE ART SUMMARY ON
SEISMIC RETROFIT TECHNIQUES
FOR CONCRETE BRIDGES

Retrofit design philosophy

Avoid excessive damage to
members and prevent
structural collapse of the bridge

Objective
Satisfy strength and displacement
demands expected under the design-level
earthquakes.
Ensure a desirable yield mechanism
Limit inelastic actions to preselected locations
Column ends are typically selected in bridges
Avoid non-ductile response modes (e.g.,
shear and bond failure; inelastic response of
non-ductile members)

Procedure
Provide sufficient ductility capacity to the
potential plastic hinge regions in columns
Strengthen other members using capacity
design principles using the column
overstrength moments.
Add new elements
Reduce seismic demands to avoid inelastic
response in capacity-protected members

Procedure (Cont..)
Complete retrofit design at member level
Analyze the retrofitted structure to ensure
adequate response of the system.
If necessary, redesign retrofit measures or
introduce a new retrofit scheme

Vulnerable Structural Elements

Columns
Cap Beams
Joints
Footings
Hinges and Supports
Superstructure
Abutments

Inadequate Confinement
Inadequate Shear Strength
Location and Strength of Lap S

Confinement retrofit

Provide uniform pressure

Steel, concrete and advanced composites
Use wraps or jackets
Required over 1.5 to 2 times the length of
the plastic hinge region
Circular or oval shaped sections
Leave a gap between column and wrap
Fill gap with grout or concrete
Leave a gap between the column and joint

Confinement retrofit Circular column

(Courtesy of University of California, San Diego)

(Courtesy of Jacobs Civil Inc.)

Rectangular column

(Courtesy of University of California, San Diego)

US40/I64 Double deck seismic retrofit in St. Louis

(Courtesy of Jacobs Civil Inc.)

Prefabricated composite
jacketing of column

Active prestressed wire wraps

and welded wire fabric

(Courtesy of Jacobs Civil Inc.)

(Courtesy of University of Southern California)

Improved Confinement Detail

Section with curvature ductility of 20
10% 75% increase in the effective
elastic stiffness
The new column stiffness should be
included in the system level analysis of the
retrofitted bridge

Non-Prismatic Columns

FRP straps

Half shell steel jackets

(Courtesy of University of Nevada, Reno)

U-shaped GFRP straps

Flared Columns Retrofitted with U-shaped GFRP Straps

(Courtesy of University of Nevada, Reno)

Multi-Column Bents Transverse Direction

Retrofitted Bent

Construction at US 395/I 80
Interchange, Reno

(Courtesy of University of Nevada, Reno)

Column Lap Splice Retrofit

Control dilatation strains
Provide sufficient confinement
Confinement retrofit required for the
inelastic response may be sufficient
Rectangular sections are not effective
unless spliced bars are welded for continuity

Column Retrofit to improve

shear capacity
Estimate demands
assume full development of column hinge
Include material over-strength

Most techniques used for confinement

retrofit are appropriate
Retrofit is typically required along the full
column height

CFRP
(Courtesy of FHWA)

Steel Jacket
(Courtesy of University of California, San Diego)

Vulnerable Structural Elements

Columns
Cap Beams
Joints
Footings
Hinges and Supports
Superstructure
Reduced Flexural
Abutments
Strength
(Insufficient Bar
Anchorage)
Inadequate Shear

Cap Beam Retrofit Measures

Post-tensioning cap beam is an effective
retrofit measure
may require an increase in dimensions
may require addition of end blocks
will improve joint performance
will enhance torsional resistance

Concrete bolsters and new reinforcement

Steel jacket retrofit
FRP wraps

Cap Beam Retrofit Prestressing

(Courtesy of University of California, San Diego)

(Courtesy of Jacobs Civil Inc.)

Adding Concrete Bolster

Concrete
bolster

(Courtesy of University of California, Berkeley)

Reducing Seismic Demand

(Courtesy of University of California, San Diego)

Vulnerable Structural Elements

Columns
Cap Beams
Joints
Footings
Hinges and Supports
Superstructure
Insufficient Bar
Abutments

Anchorage
Inadequate Shear
Strength
Inadequate Joint

Joint Retrofit Measures

External prestressing
Complete replacement of the joint region
increase in dimensions
Increase in column bar embedment length
new joint shear reinforcement

Jacketing of the joint using concrete, steel

or composite materials
Reduce demand using a link beam

Joint Retrofit

(Courtesy of University of California, San Diego)

(Courtesy of University of Utah)

Complete Joint Replacement

(Courtesy of University of California, San Diego)