This paper evaluates the seismic vulnerability of different classes of typical bridges in California when subjected to seismic shaking or liquefaction-induced lateral spreading. The detailed structural confi gurations in terms of superstructure type, connection, continuity at support and foundation type, etc. render different damage resistant capability. Six classes of bridges are established based on their anticipated failure mechanisms under earthquake shaking. The numerical models that are capable of simulating the complex soil-structure interaction effects, nonlinear behavior of columns and connections are developed for each bridge class. The dynamic responses are obtained using nonlinear time history analyses for a suite of 250 earthquake motions with increasing intensity. An equivalent static analysis procedure is also implemented to evaluate the vulnerability of the bridges when subjected to liquefaction-induced lateral spreading. Fragility functions for each bridge class are derived and compared for both seismic shaking (based on nonlinear dynamic analyses) and lateral spreading (based on equivalent static analyses) for different performance states. The study fi nds that the fragility functions due to either ground shaking or lateral spreading show signifi cant correlation with the structural characterizations, but differences emerge for ground shaking and lateral spreading conditions. Structural properties that will mostly affect the bridges' damage resistant capacity are also identifi ed.
Fragility functions are generated for bridges in liquefied and laterally spreading ground using equivalent static global nonlinear finite element analyses. Bridges are classified based on structural configurations and vintage. Probability density functions are assigned to both structural and geotechnical properties of bridges. Nonlinear equivalent static analyses are conducted with inputs sampled randomly using the Monte Carlo simulation method. Cumulative distribution functions are fitted to the simulated data, and define the probability of exceeding various engineering demand parameters (pier column curvature ductility, pile cap displacement, abutment displacement, etc.) conditioned on the maximum free-field lateral spreading ground surface displacement. Correlations among EDPs are presented to facilitate risk assessment based on a vector of EDPs. The derived fragility functions, combined with seismic hazard analysis, liquefaction potential, and lateral spreading estimation, are useful in the context of performance-based earthquake engineering and risk assessment of current bridge inventory in California.
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