Derivation of Fragility Functions for Seismic Assessment of RC Bridge Portfolios Using Different Intensity Measures

ABSTRACT

Macro-scale seismic assessment of road networks requires the characterization of the vulnerability of the population of existing bridges, typically provided by fragility curves as they correlate the probability of exceeding specific limit states at different levels of intensity measures (IM). The available literature mainly provides functions of peak ground or spectral accelerations, developed using single structures. However, when dealing with a population of reinforced concrete (RC) bridges, recent research has identified different IMs as more promising. This paper carries out a statistically sound comparison of improved analytical fragility curves by means of nonlinear static analysis of 3D RC bridge models.

KEYWORDS:

• Seismic Performance Assessment
• RC Bridge Populations
• Fragility Curves
• Scalar and Vector Intensity Measures