EU-US cooperation builds safer bridges
The EU-funded initiative EXCHANGE-SSI (Experimental & computational hybrid assessment network for ground-motion excited soil-structure interaction systems) helped to transfer knowledge between seismology researchers and engineers from Europe and North America. EXCHANGE-SSI bridged the existing technological gap between the EU and the United States through the effective networking of existing infrastructures. This created the momentum for long-lasting and integrated high-level joint research on common challenges regarding the use of hybrid experimentation for soil-bridge interaction studies. Project partners explored the most advanced means for promoting more solid forms of construction for infrastructure so that they are better able to resist the effects of earthquakes. Many benefits were realised by the teams on either side of the Atlantic ꞌjoining handsꞌ and working together to enhance the construction of key structures such as bridges. The consortium oversaw the exchange of researchers between EU and United States institutions to study seismic soil-structure interaction effects on bridges. The joint team selected earthquake ground-motion scenarios for a five-span, seismically isolated, reinforced concrete bridge. It investigated the inelastic response of structures and calculated the stiffness of the abutment-embankment system. Other accomplishments include the development of interactive software to select ground motions for use with the bridge under study. The ISSARS software, developed by the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece, can be downloaded online. The team also developed a geographically distributed, multi-platform simulation analysis for the case study bridge. This involved two universities in Greece, one in Italy and one in the United States. Researchers also performed for the first time a sophisticated intercontinental hybrid experiment. This involved testing of the bridge's substructure, two abutment-embankment systems, middle piers-soil foundation systems and superstructure. This experiment was the first of its kind to successfully connect computer and laboratory equipment on both sides of the Atlantic.
Keywords
Bridges, earthquake, seismic, ground-motion, soil-structure interaction, abutment-embankment
