UTC 2022 Funding - Cycle 2 Research Projects

Project Number: CY2-UARK-02
Project Title: Enhancing Seismic Design Strategies for Bridges: Leveraging Data-Driven Decision-Making through Shear Wave Velocity Testing and Site-Specific Ground Motion Response Analysis
Performing Institution: University of Arkansas
Principal Investigator: Clinton Wood
Proposed Start and End Date: 10/01/2024 to 01/15/2026
Project Description: Seismic hazards play a crucial role in the design of transportation infrastructure, particularly bridges, across the southern plains and various regions of the United States. The recent introduction of risk-targeted ground motions and the updated seismic site classification scheme in the 2023 AASHTO guide specifications for LRFD seismic bridge design has introduced considerable uncertainty regarding their impact on commonly used design approaches. This project aims to investigate the following: (1) How changes in seismic site classification can influence the seismic design category, thus affecting bridge design and construction costs; (2) The drawbacks of continued use of the standard penetration test (SPT) for seismic site classification versus the advantages of employing shear wave velocity; (3) The benefits of conducting a Site-Specific Ground Motion Response Analysis (SSGMRA) on the seismic design category and the design response spectrum, consequently influencing bridge design and construction costs.  
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