Optimal intensity measures for probabilistic seismic demand modeling of extended pile-shaft-supported bridges in liquefied and laterally spreading ground

Seismic intensity measures (IMs) perform a pivotal role in probabilistic seismic demand modeling. Many studies investigated appropriate IMs for structures without considering soil liquefaction potential. In particular, optimal IMs for probabilistic seismic demand modeling of bridges in liquefied and laterally spreading ground are not comprehensively studied. In this paper, a coupled-bridge-soil-foundation model is adopted to perform an in-depth investigation of optimal IMs among 26 IMs found in the literature. Uncertainties in structural and geotechnical material properties and geometric parameters of bridges are considered in the model to produce comprehensive scenarios. Metrics such as efficiency, practicality, proficiency, sufficiency and hazard computability are assessed for different demand parameters. Moreover, an information theory based approach is adopted to evaluate the relative sufficiency among the studied IMs. Results indicate the superiority of velocity-related IMs compared to acceleration, displacement and time-related ones. In particular, Housner spectrum intensity (HI), spectral acceleration at 2.0 s (S _a-20), peak ground velocity (PGV), cumulative absolute velocity (CAV) and its modified version (CAV ₅) are the optimal IMs. Conversely, Arias intensity (I _a ) and shaking intensity rate (SIR) which are measures often used in liquefaction evaluation or related structural demand assessment demonstrate very low correlations with the demand parameters. Besides, the geometric parameters do not evidently affect the choice of optimal IMs. In addition, the information theory based sufficiency ranking of IMs shows an identical result to that with the correlation measure based on coefficient of determination (R ²). This means that R ² can be used to preliminarily assess the relative sufficiency of IMs.     

Continental accretion of the Iran Block to Eurasia as seen from Late Paleozoic to Early Cretaceous subsidence curves

Abstract

Subsidence analysis is used here to get a better understanding of the Eo-Cimmerian continental accretion to Eurasia of a block (the Iran Block) of Gondwanian origin. The drift of the block from Gondwana to Eurasia is classically considered as a late Triassic event but the lack of unquestionable age evidence leads to investigate the whole Permian to Jurassic history. Indeed, the subsequent Alpine deformation along the proposed suture that should mark the Eo-Cimmerian collision forbids to characterize the collisional event without ambiguity. Moreover, the Iran block is presently represented by different continental slivers that are disconnected from each other, being in places separated by Cretaceous ophiolites, and it makes unclear if one or several blocks should be taken into account. Subsidence analysis is introduced to solve the problem, in the hope that the sedimentary history in any part of the slivers has registered important crustal events such as breakup and collision and that the few well-preserved stratigraphic sections bear the corresponding subsidence signals. Subsidence analysis is thus applied to geologically disconnected objects in a manner that departs from its traditional use in basin analysis. However, as it introduces quantified data on the behaviour of the crust in response to tectonics, it was shown to be an efficient tool in sorting out the major events amongst various local evidences for crustal unstability. Major results are: – dating the breakup as Early Permian and collision as Middle Triassic; – showing that the accretion of the Iran Block to Eurasia was accompanied by a new breakup that formed a passive margin in Nayband to the Southeast, in contrast to the new active margin that was established along the Abadeh, south-western side; – emphasising the tectonic instability that controlled the continental Jurassic deposits upon the new continent before stabilisation was reached during Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous times.     

Experimental,numerical and analytical study on conventional and innovative Grid-Anchor system in the pull-out test

With increasing use of geosynthetic applications in earth structures the need to develop more efficient reinforcement elements becomes evident. In this paper a conventional and an innovative geogrid system (named Grid-Anchor) are tested. The Grid-Anchor system consists of a conventional geogrid with anchors attached to it. The pull-out test has been used to highlight the capabilities of the product. Experimental investigation along with numerical studies using a finite element computer code was carried out. It was found that the ultimate pull-out resistance of a Grid-Anchor is more than that for an ordinary geogrid. Analytical study has been performed and the effect of an anchor group on the ultimate resistance of a geogrid was investigated.     

A risk‐based life cycle cost strategy for optimal design and evaluation of control methods for nonlinear structures

The lack of direct correspondence between control objectives and hazard risks over the lifetime of systems is a key shortcoming of current control techniques. This along with the inability to objectively analyze the benefits and costs of control solutions compared with conventional methods has hindered widespread application of control systems in seismic regions. To address these gaps, this paper offers 2 new contributions. First, it introduces risk‐based life cycle–cost (LCC) optimal control algorithms, where LCC is incorporated as the performance objective in the control design. Two strategies called risk‐based linear quadratic regulator and unconstrained risk‐based regulator are subsequently proposed. The considered costs include the initial cost of the structure and control system, LCC of maintenance, and probabilistically derived estimates of seismic‐induced repair costs and losses associated with downtime, injuries, and casualties throughout the life of the structure. This risk‐based framework accounts for uncertainties in both system properties and hazard excitations and uses outcrossing rate theory to estimate fragilities for various damage states. The second contribution of this work is a risk‐based probabilistic framework for LCC analysis of existing and proposed control strategies. The proposed control designs are applied to the nonlinear model of a 4‐story building subjected to seismic excitations. Results show that these control methods reduce the LCC of the structure significantly compared with the status quo option (benefits of up to $1 351 000). The advancements offered in this paper enhance the cost‐effectiveness of control systems and objectively showcase their benefits for risk‐informed decision making.     

Multiple hazard incidents lifecycle cost assessment of structural systems considering state‐dependent repair times and fragility curves

The performance and serviceability of structural systems during their lifetime can be significantly affected by the occurrence of extreme events. Despite their low probability, there is a potential for multiple occurrences of such hazards during the relatively long service life of systems. This paper introduces a comprehensive framework for the assessment of lifecycle cost of infrastructures subject to multiple hazard events throughout their decision‐making time horizon. The framework entails the lifecycle costs of maintenance and repair, as well as the salvage value of the structure at the end of the decision‐making time horizon. The primary features of the proposed framework include accounting for the possibility of multiple hazard occurrences, incorporating effects of incomplete repair actions on the accumulated damage through damage state‐dependent repair times, and requiring limited resources in terms of input data and computational costs. A dynamic programming procedure is proposed to calculate the expected damage condition of the structure for each possibility of the number of hazard incidents based on state‐dependent fragility curves. The proposed framework is applied to a moment‐frame building located in a region with high seismicity, and lifecycle costs are evaluated for six retrofit plans. The results displayed variation in the ranking of the retrofit actions with respect to decision‐making time horizon. Furthermore, the sensitivity analyses demonstrated that disregarding repair time in the lifecycle cost analysis can result in false identification of unsafe retrofit actions as optimal and reliable strategies. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.