Seismic Performance Assessment of Multi-Span Continuous Concrete Girder Highway Bridges

Presented by Muntashir Billah, Lakehead University

Title: Seismic Performance Assessment of Multi-Span Continuous Concrete Girder Highway Bridges in British Columbia Considering Soil-Structure Interaction

There has been limited research to evaluate the seismic vulnerability of the existing bridges in British Columbia (BC), which could help in the decision-making process for seismic upgrade. This study focuses on developing seismic fragility curves for typical multi-span continuous concrete girder (MSCC) bridges in BC. Ground motions compatible with the seismic hazard were used as input excitations for vulnerability assessment. Uncertainties in material and geometric properties were considered to represent the bridges with similar structural characteristics and construction period. The fragility of the bridge is largely attributable to the fragilities of the columns, and to a lesser extent, the abutment and bearing components. The results of this study show that soil-structure interaction have a prominent effect on component fragility rather than bridge system fragility.