Coastal Bridges Subjected to Waves: Analysis and Quantification of Forces

Portland State University

Coastal bridges can be exposed to significant wave forces during hurricane events. This research is studying the parameters that govern the structural response through data analysis of a large experimental data set. This data set was generated by testing a heavily-instrumented 1:5-scale bridge superstructure model, which was modeled after the I-10 Bridge over the Escambia Bay, under various wave conditions and water levels in a large wave flume. A unique aspect of the model is that the flexibility of the substructure can be adjusted to represent different types of bridge support systems. This poster discusses the first part of the research to quantify the damping characteristics of the bridge model. In particular, damping parameters were extracted from free vibration tests for a range of water levels, including complete submersion. With the knowledge gained, new equations will be created that can accurately predict the response of real bridges exposed to wave forces.