Demonstration of NEES for studying soil-foundation-structure interaction

• Project PI: Sharon Wood, University of Texas, Austin
• University of Nevada, Reno PI: M. Saiid Saiidi
• University of Nevada, Reno Co-PI: David Sanders
• Sponsor: National Science Foundation, Grant No. CMS-0323862
• Starting date: Sept. 2003
• University funding: $277,450

Project summary

This is a component of a multi-university project that involves large-scale bridge system and component testing, centrifuge testing, and field investigation of soil-foundation-structure-interaction effects.

Extensive analytical studies accompany these tests and are used to integrate the components for a comprehensive study of the bridge seismic response using OpenSees.

Other important components of the study include data management and education/outreach.

An overarching aspect of all components of the study is to demonstrate the utilization of NEES equipment and IT tools in a collaborative environment.

The focus of the University of Nevada, Reno  study was on testing and analysis of a two-span, large-scale reinforced concrete bridge in the transverse direction using the NEES shake table system. The experimental part of the study was conducted in collaboration with researchers from the University of Washington.