Walnut Creek Bridge
Project Description:
Three-phase field testing, extensive data analysis and computed simulation
As part of a realignment for a major freeway interchange in Walnut Creek, Caltrans’ objective was to construct a seismically isolated bridge. This is one of the first applications of seismic isolation to the new construction. Our UC Berkeley team was charged with several major tasks: conduct field testing that was comprised of testing individual bents, resonance search test of the completed bridge, and snap back test of the completed bridge. The collected data was analyzed in depth to gain an understanding of the viaduct behavior. Computer simulations were conducted and recommendations were presented to the client.
Completed task:
Field testing, data analysis, development of FE model, correlation of test data with analytical model
