Digitized Honors Theses (2002-2017)

Date of Award

5-2007

Document Type

Undergraduate Thesis

Degree Name

BS

Department

Civil Engineering

Faculty Mentor

Scott Douglass, Ph.D.

Advisor(s)

Sally Steadman, Ph.D., Kevin White, Ph.D.

Abstract

Small-scale physical model tests were used to investigate wave loads on bridge decks. Several coastal bridges have collapsed during recent hurricanes due to wave loads and storm surge. Two different model bridge decks were tested at four different water depths in these laboratory experiments. The measured loads are consistent with a method of predicting wave loads on bridge decks which was recently proposed in the literature (Douglass, et al. 2006). These experiments also showed that wave loads on bridge decks are extremely sensitive to storm surge elevation. These experiments also demonstrate a potential for reducing wave loads on bridge decks with alternative bridge deck cross-sections. These laboratory experiments are some of the first tests of wave loads ever measured on bridge decks that are typical of the common cross­ sections used in the United States. These tests may be the first ever to consider highway bridge decks which are completely inundated. The results indicate that wave loads do not continue to increase with increasing inundation. This implies that bridges can get below the most severe wave loads

Download

Share

COinS