Resilience-based design of composite segmental bridges using low-carbon materials

Research aims and scopes:

This PhD research project aims to investigate the structural performance and design of new bridges using recycle aggregate and cement free concrete. The project includes numerical modelling and experimental testing on large-scale flexible bridge piers and abutment in the laboratory 

Main body of work:

At this early stage I am not sure what the project will entail. For my 3rd year Independent Project dissertation, I explored the hysteric performance of different elastomeric materials to be used in the context of elastomeric bearings within segmental bridge columns.

Currently the construction of bridges which feature segmental columns is limited to areas of low seismic activity. This is because ground movements cause the column segments to rock and when there is a coming together of segments, damage is often incurred. It is a novel proposal to incorporate the use of elastomeric bearings between column segments to safely absorb and dissipate energy caused by the compressional and tensile loading on the bearings. This study aimed to provide alternative elastomers to natural rubber which could be used in the bearing. These materials must exhibit improved energy dissipation and hysteresis behaviour.

The materials were put through compressive and tensile tests on a servohydraulic machine whilst digital image correlation dot tracking was used on the specimens to record the deformation of the specimens during the test so that stress-strain curves could be produced.