Test results of cyclis testing on ductile precast end-diaphragms of slab-on-girder concrete bridges

Abstract

The 2010 Chile earthquake evidenced the importance of the seismic structural function of end-diaphragm beams on concrete bridges. Nevertheless, according to the autor knowledge and research, both experimental work and seismic design provisions for diaphragms on concrete bridges are very limited. By contrary, in the case of Steel bridges, Zahrai and Bruneau developed a system of ductile end- diaphragms for slab - on - girders Steel bridges in order to solve distresses suffered by the superstructure and mainly by the substructure during the most importante arthquakes during the past three decades. The initial proposal of these authors has evolved until it became the Type Global Seismic Design Strategy (GSDS) of the AASHTO Guide Specifications for LRFD Seismic Bridge Design that applies only to Steel superstructures, and likewise it forms part of other important seismic design and retrofit codes in USA.