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ABSTRACT
This paper focuses on the evaluation of the seismic vulnerability of pre-1990 highway concrete bridges, based on the development of analytical fragility curves. The parameters considered are the span length, column height, lap splices, reinforcement yield strength, and concrete compressive strength. Nonlinear response history analyses using 3D models were conducted for each set of bridge samples subjected to earthquake ground motions with different intensities. Moreover, this study analyzes the influence of the earthquake fault type on the seismic vulnerability of the bridges, using as a performance parameter the displacement ductility demand of the piers. Based on this parameter, to support future seismic-risk mitigation efforts fragility curves are utilized to assesses the seismic vulnerability of typical concrete bridge classes in Iran. The selected suite of seismic records originates in strike-slip and reverse fault seismic sources. The bridges subjected to reverse fault records present pier demands and seismic vulnerability larger than the bridges subjected to strike-slip accelerograms. The study shows that the span length, lap splice, column height, and seismic fault type have significant effects on the seismic vulnerability of bridge piers. Additionally, the results are useful to identify and prioritize retrofit actions of the most seismically vulnerable bridges.