Principal Investigator(s) and
Institution(s)
Ian M. Friedland, MCEER
Objective and Approach
The AASHTO-sponsored National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) recently
initiated NCHRP Project 12-49, "Comprehensive Specification for the Seismic Design of
Bridges." NCHRP Project 12-49 is developing a new highway bridge seismic design
specification intended for incorporation into the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design
Specifications. The project will address improvements to the overall seismic design
philosophy and performance criteria, seismic loads and site effects, analysis and modeling
procedures, and design and detailing requirements. A joint venture of the Applied
Technology Council (ATC) and MCEER is the primary contractor for the project.
Work under NCHRP Project 12-49 is intended to incorporate currently available research
results and the state-of-practice, and does not include provisions for special analytical
studies should they be needed to address important issues or gaps in knowledge. In
addition, the project is producing a set of design examples demonstrating the application
of the new specifications produced under the project, but due to budget restrictions, the
number and extent of these design examples will be limited.
Under Task F3, support will be provided to the research team conducting NCHRP Project
12-49. This support will include: (a) conducting a limited number of special studies
identified as critical to the completion of the specifications by the ATC/MCEER Joint
Venture; (b) developing a limited number of supplemental design examples for structure
types not covered under the work by the Joint Venture; and (c) assisting in the
implementation of the new specifications through the development of a training course.
Specific subtasks under this task will be detailed and discussed with the FHWA Contracting
Officer and the Contracting Officer's Technical Representative as they are identified by
the ATC/MCEER Joint Venture, and subtasks will be initiated upon receipt of FHWA approval.
Anticipated Start Date and Duration
January 1, 1999 - 48 months
9/24/99 |