Protecting Critical Civil Infrastructure Against Impact from Commercial Vehicles – Phase III, A Systems Based Approach Including Fire

This proposal will expand on work completed in Phases I & II by: 1. Experimentally examine behavior of uncoated and FRP/polyurea-coated concrete under blast loads, with pressure, temperature and material response time-history data being collected using instruments on the specimens and non-contact video tracking and laser scanning coupled with computer vision. 2. Advance computational studies, findings and design aids to include entire bridge system response under vehicle impact and air blast. Developed models will include: a. Material behavioral information from aforementioned tests. b. Foundations and surrounding soil systems using discrete element and particle based methods. c. Different types of sub- and superstructure designs, and d. The effects of temperature on behavior, functionality and resiliency.

Expected results and outcomes include: 1. Advanced, public domain material models that account for strain rate and 2. Validated, advanced bridge system and surrounding soil finite element models 3. Developed, expanded design aids and language.

While findings and tools developed during Phases I & II were certainly of benefit to science and bridge design practice, further research is needed to ensure that a reasonable, not excessive, level of conservatism exists with recommended analysis methods and designs and/or retrofits when subjected to multiple hazards. Tasks proposed for Phase III will address these items and add considerable information to bridge engineering and infrastructure material bodies-of-knowledge, especially as they relate to: material behavior under high strain rates and excessive temperature; acquisition of data from demanding material tests; and rate based effects on bridge system sub- and superstructure response under high strain rates.

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