Issue link: http://uwashington.uberflip.com/i/903202
21 2014-2015 Annual Report • Project: Analytical Tools for Resilience of Lifeline Highway Bridges to Tsunami Events • PI: Michael H. Scott (OSU), michael.scott@oregonstate.edu This work aims to develop simplified engineering tools for tsunami load effects on bridges. This will consist of analyzing data from wave flume experiments on bridges and developing simple analytical models of bridges subjected to tsunami loads. Single degree-of-freedom (SDF) models have guided the design of structures to resist seismic loads from earthquake ground motion since the 1960s. This project will extend the response spectra concept to SDF models of bridge superstructures subjected to a time history of hydrodynamic forces. The natural period dependence will be based on bridge weight and the stiffness of connections between the superstructure and substructure. Linear-elastic systems will be investigated first followed by systems with nonlinearity owing to bearing failure and/or the presence of shear keys. Previous wave flume experiments have examined a wide range of bridge deck configurations (open girder, closed soffitt), the presence of bridge rails, and venting strategies to release air trapped between girders. In addition, the effects of connection stiffness between the bridge deck and superstructure and of added mass have been examined and shown to affect the dynamic bridge response. Experimental observations of dynamic effects owing to mass and stiffness will be used as validation for the simplified analytical SDF models, thereby providing engineers with easy-to-use tools that can help guide the design and assessment of bridge to resist tsunami loading. • Project: Understanding Truck Parking Behavior and Choice of Commercial Motor Vehicle Operators: Impacts on Roadway Safety • PI: Sal Hernandez (OSU), sal.hernandez@oregonstate.edu In summary, this research aims to address the issues related to CMV parking behavior and choice of US based CMV operators, lack of linkages between survey data and existing crash data and modeling the limitations from previous work through the development and comparison of heterogeneity based methods; this will be accomplished through: (1) a comprehensive existing state-of-the-art and state-of-the-practice as it relates to CMV parking behavior and choice and heterogeneity based methods, (2) conduct statistical analyses and mine current data collected from a stated preference survey, and Oregon and Washington crash data to determine potential factors for the heterogeneity based models, and (3) estimate and validate heterogeneity based models using the 2/3rd of data prepared and identified in (2) using advanced econometric software. Once the models have been estimated the stability of the coefficient estimates of the models will be validated using 1/3rd of set aside data. It's envisaged that two journal manuscripts will result from this work. • Project: Safety Evaluation of Statewide Off-Highway Vehicle Use in Alaska • PI: Nathan Belz (UAF), npbelz@alaska.edu Standard measures of risk and conflict, as well as design guidelines for off-highway vehicle users near the traveled way are not well established from a rural safety perspective. There is a need for statewide assessment of conflicts between these users and traditional roadway users. This should include: crash history review, main corridors of travel, and identification of both safety and usage thresholds that would merit the consideration of how to minimize conflicts for certain rural highway characteristics. The State of Alaska currently has a Department policy to not prohibit their travel within the off-pavement area, but does not currently design or address crossings or other conflicts when users approach the vehicle space/traveled way. Further, a recent ATV-related fatality in Akiachak, discussions on safety concerns surrounding ATV/OHV use and policies in Wasilla, Bethel and Kotzebue, and requests for DOT&PF to address conflicts in Rural Native Alaska communities off the main road network make this very timely research. Before DOT&PF can effectively address safety concerns, a statewide review of the data and types of conflicts occurring on highways needs to be conducted. This research will allow better data to be collected, digested, and presented on these modes and the safety concerns of users to address the transportation needs of the rural and small-urban areas of Alaska.