New modeling technique enhances safety of concrete bridge structures during earthquakes.
Prestressed concrete bridge girders are important for safety and strength. Researchers developed a model called CSMM to predict how these structures behave under shear stress. They tested the model on full-scale panels and implemented it into a program called SCS. This program can accurately predict the behavior of bridge girders under earthquake-type loads. The model was validated by comparing simulated responses to real-life tests, showing that it greatly improves the ability to predict how these structures will perform.