Deformation Hazard Curves for Development of Seismic Risk Maps for Bridges

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The main goal of the proposed research program is to develop a new methodology for the seismic vulnerability assessment of bridges. The methodology is based on the use of deformation hazard curves, which represent the mean annual probabilities of exceedance of different deformation levels (from elastic deformations to collapse). The deformation hazard curves have significant advantages compared with the fragility curves that are currently used. Namely, the deformation hazard curves cover all the responses that the bridge might experience during its lifespan, and include the effects of the seismic hazard at the bridge location. The responses are quantified by a selected single global deformation parameter, and the seismic hazard at the bridge location is represented by the annual probability of exceedance of different levels of an intensity measure. The deformation parameter and the intensity measure are key parameters in the methodology, and special investigations are proposed for the selection of these parameters.The methodology for the development of deformation hazard curves will provide a new and reliable approach for the seismic vulnerability evaluations of bridges. The guidelines describing the step-by-step procedure for the use of the methodology, which will be developed as part of this Proposal, will enable a wide use of the methodology by researchers in academia as well as by engineering analysts in design offices. The methodology will be developed in a general form and can be used in any country around the world. However, in the context of this Proposal, the application of the methodology for the seismic vulnerability evaluation of bridges in Canada is of special importance. The deformation hazard curves for bridges, developed based on the proposed methodology, can be used for ranking the bridges according to their vulnerability, and consequently for the development of seismic risk maps for bridges. In addition, the proposed methodology will be very beneficial for the improvement of the seismic provisions of the Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code.