Selection of Ground Motion Intensity Measures and Evaluation of the Ground Motion-Related Uncertainties in the Probabilistic Seismic Demand Analysis of Highway Bridges

Probabilistic seismic demand analysis (PSDA) is known as one of the critical intermediate steps in the performance-based earthquake engineering (PBEE) design framework. Accuracy of the PSDA is influenced by various sources of uncertainties and mostly by that stemming from the ground motion-related variabilities. By taking a representative reinforced concrete (RC) continuous girder bridge as the case study, twenty-eight commonly used seismic intensity measures (IMs) were investigated in terms of the effectiveness, efficiency, practicality, proficiency, and sufficiency assessments. Probabilistic seismic demand models (PSDMs) of several critical bridge engineering demand parameters (EDPs) were developed under both the near-field and far-field ground motions through the nonlinear time history analyses (NTHAs). In addition, effects of ground motion-related uncertainties, such as the bin-to-bin (BTB) and record-to-record (RTR) variabilities, on the PSDA of highway bridges were also investigated. It is concluded that (1) IM efficiency contributes significantly to reflecting the RTR variability of ground motions and an efficient IM may reduce the influence of RTR variability in the estimation of structural demands; (2) IM sufficiency reflects the statistical independence of IM and ground motion parameters, and a sufficient IM is helpful in rendering the prediction of structural demands; and (3) uncertainties stemming from both the BTB and RTR variabilities of the seismic records have significant influences on the PSDA and the developed PSDMs of highway bridges.

Automated summary

Probabilistic seismic demand analysis is a critical step in the performance-based earthquake engineering design framework, and its accuracy is influenced by various sources of uncertainties, especially the variability of ground motions. A study on a representative reinforced concrete continuous girder bridge investigated the effectiveness and practicality of twenty-eight seismic intensity measures. The study also examined the effects of ground motion-related uncertainties on the analysis of highway bridges. It was concluded that the efficiency and sufficiency of the intensity measures play important roles, and the uncertainties from the seismic records significantly affect the probabilistic seismic demand analysis of highway bridges.