Bridge Seismic Course

[cancmm]

This post is similar to one that's currently going on but it doesn't answer what I need and I don't want to jack the thread.

Basically, I'm looking for a seismic design course to take that focuses on bridge structures, not buildings. It would preferably be online or a couple day short course that I could travel to take. Specifically, I'm looking for design and detailing techniques, modeling examples, soil structure interaction, etc. In other words, I don't want a general overview of AASHTO's codes, rather something more in depth. Does anybody know of one like this?

Also, I've taken a graduate structural dynamics course so I do have the mathematical background to understand the codes, just the practical application is where I lack guidance.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Qshake]

Cancmm - Check the web for a couple day course from Roy Imbsen or any of his associates. Roy has been a staple in bridge seismic consulting and his company developed the SEISAB program. SEISAB stands for Seismic Analysis of Bridges. His program covers the basics of seismicity, dynamics, soil stiffness modeling, RSA, SDOF and MDOF, and design.

There are similar courses available by ASCE on the subject matter. Also if your in the midwest, consider that the Illinois Department of Transportation and the American Consulting Engineers Council of Illinois also has a 2-3 day course on seismic analysis and deisgn of bridges. The topics are pretty much the same as above. Check with the SEAOI.

I've also had structural dynamics and earthquake engineering courses and found information useful but it does get repetitive when going into the SDOF and MDOF systems.

Good Luck

Regards,
Qshake

Eng-Tips Forums:Real Solutions for Real Problems Really Quick.

 

[bridgebuster]

ASCE offers a two-day course on seismic design of highway bridges. I took it a few years ago but didn't get much out of it, perhaps it was because we lost 3 hours due to a fire in the hotel and didn't make up the time, everything was rushed. Roy Imbsen knows his stuff but it's mostly what you're not looking for: code overview.

ASCE seminars are not reasonably priced either. At one time FHWA offered a set of seven books of seismic design examples, which was very good. They also had a video of a two day seminar presented by Berger/Abam (from about 10 years ago)that could be borrowed. However, I couldn't find these items on their website.

For most bridges, you can learn seismic design on your own. For a major crossing no way. structural modelling and soil-structure interaction are key components.

 

[bridgebuster]

Here is a link to some new FHWA manuals

http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/BRIDGE/standards_manuals.shtml#FHWA_SEISMIC_RETROFIT_MANUALS

A friend of mine attended the IDoT course recently; he said it was definitely worth it.

 

[chicopee]

Check out the University of Connecticut or University of Harford for their extension programs. A structural engineer from a past bridge construction company that I worked for, took a seismic course several years ago from one of these schools during evenings over 10 years ago.