Award Date

1-1-2002

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Engineering (ME)

Department

Civil and Environmental Engineering

First Committee Member

Samaan G. Ladkany

Number of Pages

150

Abstract

This thesis presents the results of analytical studies conducted on the off ramp structures of the Las Vegas downtown viaduct. In the first stage, the moment, shear and deformation capacities of the columns were determined by moment-curvature analysis. Then, the existing design of the bridge columns was compared to the requirements of the current bridge design codes. In the second stage, the moment, shear and deformation demands on the columns due to a strong earthquake were determined using the seismic provisions of the current bridge design codes. In the third stage, non-linear three dimensional finite element models of the off ramp bridges were used to simulate the seismic response of the off-ramp structures to the Sylmar and the ATC earthquakes. The structures response was analyzed under 50%, 100% and 200% intensities of the earthquakes. In the third and final stage, the demands calculated in second and third stages were compared to the calculated capacities of the columns. It was determined that all the columns analyzed required seismic retrofit to comply with the existing codes. Complete retrofit designs of the columns were determined using Carbon Fiber and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer jackets, using the California Department of Transportation retrofit design guidelines.

Keywords

Assessment; Downtown; Las Vegas; Nevada; Ramp; Seismic; Structures; Vegas; Viaduct; Vulnerability

Controlled Subject

Civil engineering

File Format

pdf

File Size

3225.6 KB

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

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