Estimation of Seismic Expected Annual Losses for Multi-Span Continuous RC Bridge Portfolios Using a Component-Level Approach

ABSTRACT

A method for the estimation of expected annual losses under seismic action, using a component-level approach, is proposed. The method follows the general steps of current Performance-Based Earthquake Engineering approaches and two distinct alternatives are evaluated depending on how the collapse cases are identified. Results are compared with a commonly implemented structure level approach, showing that the latter presents an upper bound in loss estimation. The accuracy of simplified structural analysis alternatives, such as nonlinear static procedures, is also evaluated. The method is found to be suitable for economic loss assessment under seismic hazards, producing performance measures easy to understand for different decision makers.

KEYWORDS:

• Bridges
• seismic response
• loss assessment
• component-level approach
• expected annual loss

Acknowledgments

The first and second authors greatly acknowledge the support provided by the research project INFRA-NAT (783298-UCPM-2017- PP-AG), co-funded by the European Commission ECHO – Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection, and the project “Dipartimenti di Eccellenza,” funded by the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research at IUSS Pavia.