Optimal sliding friction coefficients for isolated viaducts and bridges: A comparison study

The aim of this work is to evaluate the influence of the pier–abutment–deck interaction on the seismic response of bridges isolated by single concave sliding pendulum isolators (friction pendulum system [FPS]) through a comparison with the results of the seismic response of isolated bridges without considering the presence of the rigid abutment (i.e., isolated viaducts). Two different multidegree-of-freedom (mdof) models are properly defined to carry out this comparison. In the both mdof models, five vibrational modes are considered to describe the elastic behavior of the reinforced concrete pier, and an additional degree of freedom is adopted to analyze the response of the infinitely rigid deck isolated by the seismic devices. The FPS isolator behavior is described through a widespread velocity-dependent model. By means of a nondimensional formulation of the motion equations with respect to the seismic intensity, a parametric analysis for several structural properties is performed in order to investigate the differences between the two mdof models in relation to the relevant response parameters. The uncertainty in the seismic input is taken into account by means of a set of natural records with different characteristics. Finally, multivariate nonlinear regression relationships are provided to estimate the optimum values of the sliding friction coefficient able to minimize the pier displacements relative to the ground as a function of the structural properties considering or neglecting the presence of the abutment

Seismic performance of bridges isolated with FPS

The scope of the present study is focused on the evaluation of the seismic response of bridges isolated by single concave sliding pendulum isolators (FPS) for the different structural properties when the presence of the rigid abutment is considered or neglected (i.e., isolated viaducts). In this way, they have been defined two specific multi-degree-of-freedom (mdof) models to simulate the elastic behavior of the reinforced concrete pier in combination to the infinitely rigid presence of the deck and to the presence of the rigid abutment if considered. Both the numerical models also account for the non-linear velocity-dependent behavior of the FPS bearings. Considering the aleatory uncertainty in the seismic input by means of several natural records with different characteristics, a parametric analysis is developed for several structural properties. The relevant results expressed as the statistics in non-dimensional form with respect to the seismic intensity have permitted to study the differences between the two numerical models in relation to the effectiveness of the seismic isolation

Seismic Performance of Bridges Depending on the DCFP Device Properties

The present investigation examines how the properties of the double concave friction pendulum (DCFP) devices influence the seismic performance of isolated multi-span continuous deck bridges. The numerical simulations are carried out using an eight-degree-of-freedom model to reproduce the elastic behavior of the pier, associated to the assumption of both rigid abutment and rigid deck, and the non-linear velocity-dependent behavior of the two surfaces of the double concave friction pendulum isolators, under a set of natural records

Optimal DCFP bearing properties and seismic performance assessment in nondimensional form for isolated bridges

The study analyzes the influence of double concave friction pendulum (DCFP) isolator properties on the seismic performance of isolated multispan continuous deck bridges. The behavior of these systems is analyzed by employing an eight-degree-of-freedom model accounting for the pier flexibility in addition to the rigid presence of both abutment and deck, whereas the DCFP isolator behavior is described combining two single FP devices in series. The uncertainty in the seismic input is taken into account by considering a set of nonfrequent natural records with different characteristics. The variation of the statistics of the response parameters relevant to the seismic performance of the isolated bridges is investigated through the proposal of a nondimensionalization of the motion equations, with respect to the seismic intensity, within an extensive parametric study carried out for different isolator and bridge properties. Moreover, two cases related to different ratios between the sliding friction coefficients of the two surfaces of the DCFP devices are analyzed with the aim also to evaluate the corresponding optimal values able to minimize the seismic demand to the pier. In this way, all the presented nondimensional results are useful for the preliminary design or retrofit of multispan continuous deck bridges, isolated with DCFP devices, located in any site and in relation, especially, to the seismic ultimate limit states

Magma and fluid migration at Yellowstone Caldera in the last three decades inferred from InSAR, leveling and gravity measurements

We studied the Yellowstone caldera geological unrest between 1977 and 2010 by investigating temporal changes in differential Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR), precise spirit leveling and gravity measurements. The analysis of the 1992–2010 displacement time series, retrieved by applying the SBAS InSAR technique, allowed the identification of three areas of deformation: (i) the Mallard Lake (ML) and Sour Creek (SC) resurgent domes, (ii) a region close to the Northern Caldera Rim (NCR), and (iii) the eastern Snake River Plain (SRP). While the eastern SRP shows a signal related to tectonic deformation, the other two regions are influenced by the caldera unrest. We removed the tectonic signal from the InSAR displacements, and we modeled the InSAR, leveling, and gravity measurements to retrieve the best fitting source parameters. Our findings confirmed the existence of different distinct sources, beneath the brittle-ductile transition zone, which have been intermittently active during the last three decades. Moreover, we interpreted our results in the light of existing seismic tomography studies. Concerning the SC dome, we highlighted the role of hydrothermal fluids as the driving force behind the 1977–1983 uplift; since 1983–1993 the deformation source transformed into a deeper one with a higher magmatic component. Furthermore, our results support the magmatic nature of the deformation source beneath ML dome for the overall investigated period. Finally, the uplift at NCR is interpreted as magma accumulation, while its subsidence could either be the result of fluids migration outside the caldera or the gravitational adjustment of the source from a spherical to a sill-like geometr

Aortomesenteric fat thickness with ultrasound predicts metabolic diseases in obese patients

BACKGROUND:: The relation between visceral fat accumulation and development of cardiovascular and metabolic disorders has been demonstrated. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between a new ultrasound visceral fat thickness (VFT) measurement and clinical and anthropometric data in a consecutive series of obese patients. METHODS:: Fifty-five consecutive male obese patients underwent ultrasound evaluation and metabolic and anthropometric parameters determination at baseline and after 3 weeks of a very low-calorie diet (VLCD) therapy. The new ultrasound measurement, the thickness of the fat between the aorta and the superior mesenteric artery (AMFT), was determined along with the maximum thickness of preperitoneal fat and the global VFT. RESULTS:: AMFT showed a better correlation than VFT and preperitoneal fat with all anthropometric and metabolic parameters, both at baseline and after VLCD regimen. At baseline, patients in the middle and high AMFT and VFT tertiles had a significantly higher prevalence of metabolic diseases with respect to AMFT and VFT low tertile patients, whereas after VLCD period, AMFT only showed significant difference within tertiles. The odds ratios for the various metabolic diseases were higher in the middle and high AMFT tertiles than those in the middle and high VFT tertiles, remaining significant after adjustment for age, body mass index and VLCD regimen only in the middle and high AMFT tertiles. CONCLUSIONS:: The ultrasonographic AMFT evaluation is strongly correlated to the presence of metabolic syndrome and could be a valuable tool to predict metabolic diseases and associated cardiovascular risks in men. © 2013 Lippincott Williams and Wilkins

Resistance Model Uncertainties in Plane Stress NLFEAs of Reinforced Concrete Systems Subjected to Cyclic Loads

This work describes the resistance model uncertainties in non-linear finite element analyses for reinforced concrete members under cyclic loads for seismic analyses. In detail, several plane stress finite elements analyses using different numerical codes and considering the possible modelling hypotheses are carried out to reproduce the seismic behaviour of various walls experimentally tested. The global resistances achieved from the numerical analyses are compared to the experimental outcomes to assess the influence of the model uncertainties

Seismic reliability of structures equipped with LIR-DCFP bearings in terms of superstructure ductility and isolator displacement

This research deals with the seismic reliability of non-linear base-isolated structures equipped with Lateral Impact Resilient Double Concave Friction Pendulum (LIR-DCFP) devices. Specifically, exceeding probabilities within the reference lifetime are assessed with respect to both superstructure ductility and isolator displacement demand. The innovative LIR-DCFP bearing has an improved inner slider with an internal gap and is capable to reduce adverse effects of the lateral impact between the inner slider and the restraining rims. The dynamic behavior of the superstructure is represented by a simplified one-degree-of-freedom model describing its lateral response. The isolation system is characterized by a model based on rigid body dynamics also including the lateral impact behavior. A wide parametric analysis is developed for several system properties considering the friction coefficients as relevant random variables. Different sets of natural seismic records able to match conditional spectra for a site in Riverside (California) were selected to consider the aleatory uncertainties of the seismic input. Incremental dynamic analyses were performed to determine the statistics of significant engineering demand parameters and compute probabilities exceeding specific limit states to define fragility curves. Finally, employing seismic hazard curves, the seismic reliability of isolated structures was evaluated. For increasing values of the internal gap, structures equipped with LIR-DCFP devices exhibit better seismic performance with respect to classical DCFP bearings with same size, especially, if the superstructure is designed to behave essentially elastic when the lateral capacity of the isolation level is not reached, or the hardening post-yield stiffness of the superstructure is relatively high. Reductions up to 20% in the exceeding probabilities within 50 years related to the ductility demand are achievable using the suggested LIR-DCFP isolator

Comparative seismic performance of a moment frame equipped with Lateral Impact Resilient Double Concave Frictional devices

This study presents a comparative assessment of the seismic performance of a reinforced concrete moment frame equipped with a new isolator. The Lateral Impact Resilient Double Concave Friction Pendulum (LIR-DCFP) bearing has an enhanced inner slider capable of limiting the magnitude of the lateral impact force generated between the inner slider and the restraining rims of the sliding surfaces. Due to the presence of a plane high-friction interface with an internal gap, the novel isolator has an increased energy dissipation capacity that is activated during the lateral impact. Three isolation systems were considered to evaluate the benefits of using LIR-DCFP devices. One conformed by the suggested isolator, and two composed of classic non-articulated Double Concave Friction Pendulum (DCFP) bearings. The isolation devices were modelled employing a numerical formulation based on rigid body dynamics, capable of accounting for the lateral impact behaviour. The superstructure, a reinforced concrete moment resisting frame designed according to the American ASCE/SEI 7-16 standard, was modelled using beam-column elements considering geometric and material nonlinearities. Furthermore, the degrading behaviour of the building was incorporated using a proper degradation model for both the stiffness and the force. Incremental Dynamic Analyses (IDAs) were performed considering the friction coefficient as a random variable to characterize the statistics of the maximum inter-story responses. With the data generated in the IDAs, fragility curves related to the superstructure performance were constructed. Finally, employing the hazard curve, reliability curves were derived. The superstructure equipped with LIR-DCFP bearings presents better seismic performance than the same building equipped with the same size DCFP isolators. The benefits of using the new isolator are not achieved by increasing the lateral capacity of the classic isolation system