Displacement limits and performance displacement profiles in support of direct displacement‐based seismic assessment of bridges

Displacement limits and performance displacement profiles (PDPs) for the direct displacement‐based assessment of existing bridges are proposed. The PDPs are defined as the bridge inelastic deformed shapes associated with the attainment of selected damage states in some critical elements of the bridge. In the paper, displacement limits are provided for piers, abutments, joints, bearing devices and shear keys. Moreover, different approaches for the definition of the PDP are examined, including adaptive pushover analysis, effective modal analysis, and rational analysis of simplified bridge models. In the paper, the key aspects and modeling assumptions of the proposed direct displacement‐based assessment procedure are presented first. This is followed by some examples of application to typical Italian highway bridge configurations, differing in pier layout, deck type, and pier‐deck connections. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Seismic response predictions of multi‐span steel bridges through pushover analysis

In the new trend of seismic design methodology, the static pushover analysis is recommended for simple or regular structures whilst the time‐history analysis is recommended for complex structures. To this end, the applicable range of the pushover analysis has to be clarified. This study aims at investigating the applicability of pushover analysis to multi‐span continuous bridge systems with thin‐walled steel piers. The focus is concentrated on the response demand predictions in longitudinal or transverse directions. The pushover analysis procedure for such structures is firstly summarized and then parametric studies are carried out on bridges with different types of superstructure‐pier bearing connections. The considered parameters, such as piers' stiffness distribution and pier–0.5ptdeck stiffness ratio, are varied to cover both regular and irregular structures. Finally, the relation of the applicability of pushover analysis to different structural formats is demonstrated and a criterion based on the higher modal contribution is proposed to quantitatively specify the applicable range. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Inelastic dynamic analysis of RC bridges accounting for spatial variability of ground motion,site effects and soil–structure interaction phenomena. Part 2: Parametric study

The methodology for dealing with spatial variability of ground motion, site effects and soil–structure interaction phenomena in the context of inelastic dynamic analysis of bridge structures, and the associated analytical tools established and validated in a companion paper are used herein for a detailed parametric analysis, aiming to evaluate the importance of the above effects in seismic design. For a total of 20 bridge structures differing in terms of structural type (fundamental period, symmetry, regularity, abutment conditions, pier‐to‐deck connections), dimensions (span and overall length), and ground motion characteristics (earthquake frequency content and direction of excitation), the dynamic response corresponding to nine levels of increasing analysis complexity was calculated and compared with the ‘standard’ case of a fixed base, uniformly excited, elastic structure for which site effects were totally ignored. It is concluded that the dynamic response of RC bridges is indeed strongly affected by the coupling of the above phenomena that may adversely affect displacements and/or action effects under certain circumstances. Evidence is also presented that some bridge types are relatively more sensitive to the above phenomena, hence a more refined analysis approach should be considered in their case. Copyright @ 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Assessment of concrete bridges subjected to ground motion with an arbitrary angle of incidence: static and dynamic approach

A nonlinear static analysis methodology for the derivation of a set of pushover curves for any angle of incidence of the seismic action (multidirectional pushover curves) for bridges is developed, wherein the interaction between axial force and biaxial moments at critical pier sections or biaxial shear forces at the bearings is taken into account. Dynamic pushover curves (base shear vs. peak deck displacement) for arbitrary angle of incidence of the excitation, are derived for both unidirectional (single-component) and bidirectional (dual-component) ground motion. It is found that neglecting the minor horizontal component leads to underestimation of bridge response, especially along the bridge principal directions and that the angle of incidence of bidirectional excitation affects bridge response, but to a lesser extent than in the case of unidirectional excitation. The proposed procedure is then applied to a straight symmetric bridge, its results are checked against those from response-history analysis, and is found to be sufficiently accurate for practical application. Using the derived results it is also found that the design of the selected bridge is safe since for the design bidirectional earthquake the bridge starts to behave inelastically (the first plastic hinge forms), while its failure occurs for about four times the design seismic action.     

无缝桥抗震性能的对比研究

本文以一座三跨总长60 m的整体桥为案例桥,分别试设计了同跨径的半整体桥、延伸桥面板桥和常规连续梁桥。通过Midas/Civil软件建立四种桥型的有限元模型,并对其进行了E1和E2反应谱分析和时程分析,对比了四种桥型的结构反应峰值（墩顶位移、桥墩及桩基剪力与弯矩、台底位移、桥台桩基剪力与弯矩）。计算结果表明:当桥梁存在15°的斜交角,整体桥、半整体桥在地震动沿平行于桥台长边方向及其垂直方向输入时更不利,而延伸桥面板桥和常规连续梁桥在地震动沿顺桥向和横桥向输入时更不利。四种桥型在地震作用下:整体桥抗震性能最优异,但其台底位移、桥台桩基的剪力和弯矩最大;半整体桥台底位移、桥台桩基的剪力和弯矩最小,其墩顶位移、桥墩及桩基的剪力和弯矩仅比整体桥大;延伸桥面板桥和常规连续梁桥的墩-梁相对位移远大于整体桥和半整体桥,不适用于地震基本烈度高的区域。     

Extension of modal pushover analysis to seismic assessment of bridges

Nonlinear static (pushover) analysis has become a popular tool during the last decade for the seismic assessment of buildings. Nevertheless, its main advantage of lower computational cost compared to nonlinear dynamic time‐history analysis (THA) is counter‐balanced by its inherent restriction to structures wherein the fundamental mode dominates the response. Extension of the pushover approach to consider higher modes effects has attracted attention, but such work has hitherto focused mainly on buildings, while corresponding work on bridges has been very limited. Hence, the aim of this study is to adapt the modal pushover analysis procedure for the assessment of bridges, and investigate its applicability in the case of an existing, long and curved, bridge, designed according to current seismic codes; this bridge is assessed using three nonlinear static analysis methods, as well as THA. Comparative evaluation of the calculated response of the bridge illustrates the applicability and potential of the modal pushover method for bridges, and quantifies its relative accuracy compared to that obtained through other inelastic methods. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

MPA方法在不同高度桥墩地震响应分析中的适用性研究

桥梁通常是线路中的控制工程,其抗震性能显得尤为重要。作为梁桥重要组成部分的桥墩,往往是地震作用下容易受到损伤的构件。结合西部山区梁桥的典型桥墩结构形式,基于纤维模型的有限元方法建立桥墩的非线性数值分析模型。采用MPA方法对不同高度桥墩的地震响应进行分析,以非线性时程分析方法的计算结果为基准研究MPA方法的适用性。计算表明MPA方法在分析高阶模态参与程度较高的高墩构件时适用性较差。     

Seismic performance evaluation of steel arch bridges against major earthquakes. Part 1: dynamic analysis approach

In this study the inelastic behavior of steel arch bridges subjected to strong ground motions from major earthquakes is investigated by dynamic analyses of a typical steel arch bridge using a three‐dimensional (3D) analytical model, since checking seismic performance against severe earthquakes is not usually performed when designing such kinds of bridge. The bridge considered is an upper‐deck steel arch bridge having a reinforced concrete (RC) deck, steel I‐section girders and steel arch ribs. The input ground motions are accelerograms which are modified ground motions based on the records from the 1995 Hyogoken‐Nanbu earthquake. Both the longitudinal and transverse dynamic characteristics of the bridge are studied by investigation of time‐history responses of the main parameters. It is found that seismic responses are small when subjected to the longitudinal excitation, but significantly large under the transverse ground motion due to plasticization formed in some segments such as arch rib ends and side pier bases where axial force levels are very high. Finally, a seismic performance evaluation method based on the response strain index is proposed for such steel bridge structures. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Investigation of ‘equal displacement’ rule for bridges subjected to differential support motions

The ‘equal displacement’ rule is employed in seismic design practice to predict inelastic displacements from analyses of the corresponding linear elastic structural models. The accuracy and limitations of this rule have been investigated for ordinary structures but not for bridges subjected to spatially varying ground motions. The present study investigates this rule for moderate levels of inelastic behavior for four highway bridges in California accounting for the effects of spatial variability of the support motions due to incoherence, wave passage and differential site response. The bridge models vary significantly as to their fundamental periods and their overall configurations. Statistical analyses of pier‐drift responses are performed using as input simulated arrays of nonstationary ground motions in accordance with prescribed coherency models. It is found that the ‘equal displacement’ rule is fairly accurate for cases when the fundamental period of the bridge is longer than the transition period between the acceleration‐controlled and velocity‐controlled ranges of the response spectrum. Otherwise, the rule is non‐conservative for cases with large ductility factors and conservative for cases with small ductility factors. Wave passage and incoherence tend to reduce ratios of mean peak inelastic to elastic pier drifts, whereas incorporation of the differential site‐response effect by locating piers on softer soils tends to increase the same ratios. Mild or moderate positive correlation between these ratios and ductility demands is observed in most cases. Effects of spatial variability are more pronounced for longer and stiffer bridges. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Uplift of deck or footings in bridges with distributed mass subjected to transverse earthquake

The eigenvalue problem is analytically formulated in symmetric bridges with distributed mass and moment of inertia under transverse earthquake. The piers are elastically supported on the ground. The deck is monolithically connected to one or two piers for all degrees of freedom and restrained or transversely free at the abutments. The characteristic equation, symmetric normal modes, modal participation factors, and participating mass ratios are given analytically. The problem is expressed in terms of few dimensionless parameters: (i) the radius of gyration of the deck mass divided by the pier height; (ii) the ratio of the rotational stiffness of a footing to that of the pier at the base; (iii) the ratio of flexural stiffness of the outer spans to those of the pier; (iv) the ratio of torsional stiffness of side spans to the rotational stiffness of the pier top; (v) for two piers, the side‐to‐central‐span ratio. Modal response spectrum analysis gives the moment at the base of the footings and the torque in the deck at its supports on the abutments as ratios to the values at incipient uplifting from the ground or the bearings. The peak ground acceleration of the motion at the onset of either one of these two types of nonlinearity is depicted as a function of the dimensionless parameters and the fundamental period of an elastic deck supported only at the abutments, or of a rigid deck on piers fixed against rotation at top and bottom. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

能力谱方法在桥梁抗震性能评估中的应用研究

位移延性是桥梁抗震性能的重要指标之一,以Pushover分析为基础的能力谱方法能够考察结构在地震下的弹塑性位移响应,是抗震性能评估的一种有效手段.文中阐述了能力谱法的基本原理,说明了基于弹塑性反应谱的能力谱方法在求解性能点时不需要进行迭代计算;基于弹性设计反应谱建立了相对应的弹塑性反应谱,结合某实桥,将能力谱方法和增量动力分析方法进行了对比,并根据不同的地震基本烈度和场地土类型进行了抗震性能评估.分析认为,能力谱方法计算简便,对结构1阶振型的地震响应占主导时,具有较好的精度,并能够基于设计反应谱来考察结构的弹塑性抗震性能,可用于桥梁抗震性能的评估.     

Seismic fragility curves for greek bridges: methodology and case studies

This study focusses on the estimation of seismic fragility curves for all common bridge types found in modern greek motorways. At first a classification scheme is developed in order to classify the existing bridges into a sufficient number of classes. A total of 11 representative bridge classes resulted, based on the type of piers, deck, and pier-to-deck connection. Then an analytical methodology for deriving fragility curves is proposed and applied to the representative bridge models. This procedure is based on pushover analysis of the entire bridge and definition of damage states in terms of parameters of the bridge pushover curves. The procedure differentiates the way of defining damage according to the seismic energy dissipation mechanism in each bridge, i.e. bridges with yielding piers of the column type and bridges with bearings (with or without seismic links) and non-yielding piers of the wall type. The activation of the abutment-backfill system due to closure of the gap between the deck and the abutments is also taken into account. The derived fragility curves are subjected to a first calibration against empirical curves based on damage data from the US and Japan.     

A simplified fragility analysis of fan type cable stayed bridges

A simplified fragility analysis of fan type cable stayed bridges using Probabilistic Risk Analysis (PRA) procedure is presented for determining their failure probability under random ground motion. Seismic input to the bridge support is considered to be a risk consistent response spectrum which is obtained from a separate analysis. For the response analysis, the bridge deck is modeled as a beam supported on springs at different points. The stiffnesses of the springs are determined by a separate 2D static analysis of cable-tower-deck system. The analysis provides a coupled stiffness matrix for the spring system. A continuum method of analysis using dynamic stiffness is used to determine the dynamic properties of the bridges .The response of the bridge deck is obtained by the response spectrum method of analysis as applied to multidegree of freedom system which duly takes into account the quasi - static component of bridge deck vibration. The fragility analysis includes uncertainties arising due to the variation in ground motion, material property, modeling, method of analysis, ductility factor and damage concentration effect. Probability of failure of the bridge deck is determined by the First Order Second Moment (FOSM) method of reliability. A three span double plane symmetrical fan type cable stayed bridge of total span 689 m, is used as an illustrative example. The fragility curves for the bridge deck failure are obtained under a number of parametric variations. Some of the important conclusions of the study indicate that (i) not only vertical component but also the horizontal component of ground motion has considerable effect on the probability of failure; (ii) ground motion with no time lag between support excitations provides a smaller probability of failure as compared to ground motion with very large time lag between support excitation; and (iii) probability of failure may considerably increase for soft soil condition.     

高烈度区大跨刚构-连续梁桥地震响应分析

为研究大跨刚构-连续梁桥在高烈度地区的地震响应,选取羊记沟左线大桥为工程背景,利用Midas软件建立多个有限元模型,考虑纵、横桥向的水平地震波输入,比较反应谱与时程分析结果,获得结构动力响应特点,为大跨刚构-连续梁桥的抗震设计提供参考依据。结果表明:刚构-连续体系仅单墩刚构时不宜采用反应谱分析,高烈度地区桥梁进行地震响应时程分析时,选用与场地适应的地震波的同时,应考虑采用本地地震参数转化人工波作为地震激励源。桥墩不等高时,可通过改变墩截面形状及其与主梁连接方式调节内力分布,避免矮墩刚度大导致的内力集中。     

Design of hysteretic dampers with optimal ductility for the transverse seismic control of cable‐stayed bridges

Cable‐stayed bridges require a careful consideration of the lateral force exerted by the deck on the towers under strong earthquakes. This work explores the seismic response of cable‐stayed bridges with yielding metallic dampers composed of triangular plates that connect the deck with the supports in the transverse direction. A design method based on an equivalent single‐degree of freedom approximation is proposed. This is proved valid for conventional cable‐stayed bridges with 200‐ and 400‐m main spans, but not 600 m. The height of the plates is chosen to (1) achieve a yielding capacity that limits the maximum force transmitted from the deck to the towers, and to (2) control the hysteretic energy that the dampers dissipate by defining their design ductility. In order to select the optimal ductility and the damper configuration, a multi‐objective response factor that accounts for the energy dissipation, peak damper displacement and low‐cycle fatigue is introduced. The design method is applied to cable‐stayed bridges with different spans and deck–support connections. The results show that the dissipation by plastic deformation in the dampers prevents significant damage in the towers of the short‐to‐medium‐span bridges under the extreme seismic actions. However, the transverse response of the towers in the bridge with a 600‐m main span is less sensitive to the dampers. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Applicability of pushover methods for the seismic analysis of single‐column bent viaducts

An overview of the applicability of a typical single‐mode pushover method (the N2 method) and two typical multi‐mode pushover methods (the modal pushover analysis (MPA) and incremental response spectrum analysis (IRSA) methods) for the analysis of single column bent viaducts in the transverse direction is presented. Previous research, which was limited to relatively short viaducts supported by few columns, has been extended to longer viaducts with more bents. The single‐mode N2 method is accurate enough for bridges where the effective modal mass of the fundamental mode is at least 80% of the total mass. The applicability of this method depends on (a) the ratio of the stiffness of the superstructure to that of the bents and (b) the strength of the bents. In short bridges with few columns, the accuracy of the N2 method increases as the seismic intensity increases, whereas in long viaducts (e.g. viaducts with lengths greater than 500 m) the method is in general less effective. In the case of the analyzed moderately irregular long viaducts, which are common in construction design practice, the MPA method performed well. For the analysis of bridges where the modes change significantly, depending on the seismic intensity, the IRSA method is in principle more appropriate, unless a viaduct is torsionally sensitive. In such cases, all simplified methods should be used with care. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The eigenvalues of isolated bridges with transverse restraints at the end abutments

This paper examines the eigenvalues of multi‐span seismically isolated bridges in which the transverse displacement of the deck at the end abutments is restricted. With this constraint the deck is fully isolated along the longitudinal direction, whereas along the transverse direction the deck is a simple‐supported beam at the end abutments which enjoys concentrated restoring forces from the isolation bearings at the center piers. For moderate long bridges, the first natural period of the bridge is the first longitudinal period, while the first transverse period is the second period, given that the flexural rigidity of the deck along the transverse direction shortens the isolation period offered by the bearings in that direction. This paper shows that for isolated bridges longer than a certain critical length, the first transverse period becomes longer than the first longitudinal period despite the presence of the flexural rigidity of the deck. This critical length depends on whether the bridge is isolated on elastomeric bearings or on spherical sliding bearings. This result is also predicted with established commercially available numerical codes only when several additional nodes are added along the beam elements which are modeling the deck in‐between the bridge piers. On the other hand, this result cannot be captured with the limiting idealization of a beam on continuous distributed springs (beam on Wrinkler foundation)—a finding that has practical significance in design and system identification studies. Finally, the paper shows that the normalized transverse eigenperiods of any finite‐span deck are self‐similar solutions that can be represented by a single master curve and are independent of the longitudinal isolation period or on whether the deck is supported on elastomeric or spherical sliding bearings. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evaluation of three‐dimensional modal pushover analysis for unsymmetric‐plan buildings subjected to two components of ground motion

The accuracy of the three‐dimensional modal pushover analysis (MPA) procedure in estimating seismic demands for unsymmetric‐plan buildings due to two horizontal components of ground motion, simultaneously, is evaluated. Eight low‐and medium‐rise structures were considered. Four intended to represent older buildings were designed according to the 1985 Uniform Building Code, whereas four other designs intended to represent newer buildings were based on the 2006 International Building Code. The median seismic demands for these buildings to 39 two‐component ground motions, scaled to two intensity levels, were computed by MPA and nonlinear response history analysis (RHA), and then compared. Even for these ground motions that deform the buildings significantly into the inelastic range, MPA offers sufficient degree of accuracy. It is demonstrated that PMPA, a variant of the MPA procedure, for nonlinear systems is almost as accurate as the well‐known standard response spectrum analysis procedure is for linear systems. Thus, for practical applications, the PMPA procedure offers an attractive alternative to nonlinear RHA, whereby seismic demands can be estimated directly from the (elastic) design spectrum. In contrast, the nonlinear static procedure specified in the ASCE/SEI 41‐06 Standard is demonstrated to grossly underestimate seismic demands for some of the unsymmetric‐plan buildings considered. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evaluation of modal pushover analysis using generic frames

An Erratum has been published for this article in Earthquake Engineering and Structural Dynamics 2003; 32:1795. The recently developed modal pushover analysis (MPA) has been shown to be a significant improvement over the pushover analysis procedures currently used in structural engineering practice. None of the current invariant force distributions accounts for the contribution of higher modes—higher than the fundamental mode—to the response or for redistribution of inertial forces because of structural yielding. By including the contributions of a sufficient number of modes of vibration (generally two to three), the height‐wise distribution of responses estimated by MPA is generally similar to the ‘exact’ results from non‐linear response history analysis (RHA). Although the results of the previous research were extremely promising, only a few buildings were evaluated. The results presented below evaluate the accuracy of MPA for a wide range of buildings and ground motion ensembles. The selected structures are idealized frames of six different heights: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18 stories and five strength levels corresponding to SDF‐system ductility factor of 1, 1.5, 2, 4, and 6; each frame is analysed for 20 ground motions. Comparing the median values of storey‐drift demands determined by MPA to those obtained from non‐linear RHA shows that the MPA predicts reasonably well the changing height‐wise variation of demand with building height and SDF‐system ductility factor. Median and dispersion values of the ratios of storey‐drift demands determined by MPA and non‐linear‐RHA procedures were computed to measure the bias and dispersion of MPA estimates with the following results: (1) the bias and dispersion in the MPA procedure tend to increase for longer‐period frames and larger SDF‐system ductility factors (although these trends are not perfect); (2) the bias and dispersion in MPA estimates of seismic demands for inelastic frames are usually larger than for elastic systems; (3) the well‐known response spectrum analysis (RSA), which is equivalent to the MPA for elastic systems, consistently underestimates the response of elastic structures, e.g. up to 18% in the upper‐storey drifts of 18‐storey frames. Finally, the MPA procedure is simplified to facilitate its implementation in engineering practice—where the earthquake hazard is usually defined in terms of a median (or some other percentile) design spectrum for elastic systems—and the accuracy of this simplified procedure is documented. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Simplified method for real‐time seismic damage assessment of motorway bridges: Transverse direction—Accounting for abutment stoppers

In the context of developing a real‐time seismic damage assessment technique, this paper proposes a simplified model that accounts for abutment stoppers, focusing on the transverse direction. Detailed 3D finite element models of 4 bridges of the Attiki Odos motorway are developed and used as benchmarks to assess its efficiency. The selected bridges vary in length, pier typologies, clearances, and pier‐deck connections. The simplified model entails a SDOF system of a pier, with assemblies of gap elements, lateral and rotational springs, and dashpots (top and bottom), representing the deck, the bearings, the abutment stoppers, and the foundation. The effect of stoppers is initially studied, focusing on the response of the abutment‐embankment system. To shed more light on the role of abutment stoppers, a parametric study is conducted, considering a wide range of clearances. Subsequently, the effect of variabilities in span length and pier height is examined. The simplified method is extended to nonideally symmetric systems and verified against the 3D benchmarks. Finally, the model is modified to account for multicolumn piers. The extended simplified model offers a reasonable prediction of the seismic damage state, reducing significantly the computational cost, and allowing detailed parametric studies. The latter are used to develop nonlinear regression model equations correlating a selected damage index with statistically significant intensity measures. Such equations offer a viable alternative for network‐wide seismic damage assessment as part of a real‐time emergency response framework. A pilot implementation is presented, illustrating the applicability of the proposed methodology.