UC Berkeley

The objectives of this dissertation is to investigate the use of rocking foundations in bridges for enhanced seismic design and performance and the reduction of post-earthquake damage. The seismic response of bridge systems was studied numerically using three-dimensional nonlinear models, whereas bridge columns with rocking foundations and superstructure mass were studied both numerically and experimentally. The experimental part consisted of the shake-table testing of large scale bridge columns with shallow rocking foundations using physical modeling of the underlying soil. Using the data from these tests, a three-dimensional model with Winkler springs was modified and validated for rocking shallow foundations designed with high factors of safety against vertical loads. The proposed model was then used on a parametric study to investigate the seismic demand on a large variety of bridge piers with rocking shallow foundations.