In Need of Seismic Bridge Design Training as per AASHTO LRFD Specs

[samwise753]

I am a relatively new structural engineer (2 months in), and the company I work for will be designing bridges in a seismic zone (North Mississippi, New Madrid Fault). This would be the first seismic design the company has done, and I have no experience with this either. We will most likely attend a workshop by Roy Imbsen of Sacremento, CA on April 23-24 in Tampa, FL, but, in the mean time, I am trying to gather as much knowledge as I can about seismic bridge design. I am reading the specifications (AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications,4th Ed., 2007 with 2008 Interim Revisions) and also looking on-line for additional resources. I would sincerely appreciate recommendations for and locations of resources (publications, design exampeles, etc..) on seismic bridge design as per AASHTO LRFD. Thank you.

 

[plasgears]

New Madrid is a very active zone. Travelled thru there recently, and the locals spoke about the frequent occurences. Many years ago in Cincinnati we had glassware rattle in the closet, and it was attributed to New Madrid.

 

[RWF7437]

http://pdhonline.org/

 

[bridgebuster]

Here's a link to down load the FHWA Seismic Retrofit Manual (1994) it gives you a good background on things:

Scroll down to the bottom of the page

http://www.tfhrc.gov/structur/pubs.htm

Also, try calling the National Technical Information Service in Springfield Virginia. I don't know if they're still available but they used to have two free publications FHWA-SA-97-018 & -018 "Seismic Bridge Design Applications" along with a 4-hour video that could be borrowed.

There was also a collection of seven design examples "FHWA SA-97-006 to 012" which used to cost $100.

Say hello to Roy for me.

 

[LobstaEata]

Hi Samwise

Try picking up the PE Structural II Sample Questions and Solutions manual from the NCEES website. There are some very good examples in this study guide.

I went to the Roy Imbsen show many moons ago. Very expensive and it was all about hawking Roy's seismic software called "Seisab". Quite a marketing blitz on his part back then. Hopefully the course has become more informative ad useful today.

 

[VoyageofDiscovery]

I recommend any text or research by Nigel Priestley.

HTH

 

[samwise753]

Hey guys,

Thank you for the info on resources; I've been trying to get all of them. As for the Roy Imbsen class, it is being promoted by ASCE, and their website gave a good course outline, so I hope it is much more than a software sales pitch. I've still got a lot to learn about the design process, but I'll post back if (when is more likely) I have other questions. Maybe I'll be able to answer someone else's questions too. Thanks again.