A design methodology is developed for precast, prestressed concrete spliced-girder bridges with superstructure-column continuity under seismic loads. Verification of the method was provided by constructing two 40 percent scale model bridge structures and testing them under fully reversed simulated seismic forces and displacements in the longitudinal direction. These model bridges included a column and the contributory bent cap with the superstructure extending from midspan to midspan of the prototype. This allowed model construction and testing to occur under realistic field conditions and seismic forces. One model bridge featured precast bulb-tee girders and the other bathtub girders. The performance of the model bridge structures exceeded the design requirements during the tests. Particular emphasis is placed on the integral column-superstructure bentcap design and its performance.
