The current design procedures used to estimate liquefaction-induced lateral spreading in bridge-foundation-soil systems are often overly conservative. A modified design procedure has been developed as a means to more appropriately consider relevant factors, and it has been shown to be effective at reducing some of the excessive conservatism associated with more simplified design approaches. However, only limited testing and analysis have been conducted to verify and benchmark the relative safety of the resulting design solutions for a range of bridges, foundations, and soil conditions. Before local agencies adopt this modified design approach, it is important to verify the safety of the resulting bridge and foundation designs for conditions typical in the Northwest, and to develop a database and benchmarking framework useful for future evaluations. Once the modified lateral spreading design approach has been verified, it will lead not only to potential cost savings in the design and construction of future bridges, but it will also increase public safety by reducing the potential for bridge collapse and minimizing the time associated with lost bridge service immediately following lateral spreading caused by an earthquake.
Principal Investigator: Balasingam Muhunthan, Civil and Environmental Engineering, WSU
Sponsor: PacTrans
Scheduled completion: January 2018