Heuristic optimization of RC bridge piers with rectangular hollow sections

Threshold accepting optimization of road vaults and rectangular hollow bridge piers

This paper deals with the economic optimization of reinforced concrete road vaults and with the optimization of rectangular hollow section bridge piers typically used in road construction. It shows the efficiency of a heuristic optimization by the threshold accepting algorithm. The evaluation of solutions follows the Spanish Code for structural concrete. Design loads are in accordance to the na...

Centrifuge modeling of rocking-isolated inelastic RC bridge piers

Experimental proof is provided of an unconventional seismic design concept, which is based on deliberately underdesigning shallow foundations to promote intense rocking oscillations and thereby to dramatically improve the seismic resilience of structures. Termed rocking isolation, this new seismic design philosophy is investigated through a series of dynamic centrifuge experiments on properly s...

PERFORMANCE-BASED SEISMIC DESIGN OPTIMIZATION FOR MULI-COLUMN RC BRIDGE PIERS, CONSIDERING QUASI-ISOLATION

In this paper an optimization framework is presented for automated performance-based seismic design of bridges consisting of multi-column RC pier substructures. The beneficial effects of fusing components on seismic performance of the quasi-isolated system is duly addressed in analysis and design. The proposed method is based on a two-step structural analysis consisting of a linear modal dynami...

Vulnerability Reduction for Bridge Piers

Bending Fatigue Tests and Finite Element Models of Steel Rectangular Hollow Sections [SRHS]

The Welding in cold formed areas is not only an open question for statically loaded sections (brittle fracture) but also for dynamically loaded structures (fatigue resistance). A lot of structures are subjected to dynamic loadings and unfortunately very little information about the influence of welding in the cold formed areas on fatigue resistance is available. In order to establish the fatigu...