Experimental investigation of seismic performance of precast concrete shear walls with overlapping U-bar loop connections

According to the “Specification for Seismic Test of Buildings”44, definitions of relevant mechanical characteristics can be illustrated as follows. The cracking load (Fcr) and cracking displacement (Δcr) refer to the load and deformation at the onset of cracking, respectively. Referring to the corresponding parameters of steel bars shown in Table 3, the specimen was deemed to […]

Technology to improve the resilience of bridges

Satzengraben bridge – Austria’s longest integral abutment bridge. Credit: Vienna University of Technology Bridges change shape, which is why they are usually built with expansion joints. At TU Wien, a technology has been developed that makes it possible to forego these joints, thus saving time and money. You can feel it straight away when you […]

200-meter-long bridges without expansion joints: Is it possible?

Expansion joints are a nightmare in the maintenance of highway bridges. After a few decades, the junction points between the structure and the road begin to show signs of deterioration. Scientists at EPFL are attempting to do away with this costly technique, and have set up a life-size experiment on the campus. Switzerland is a […]