Analytical methodology of Seismic Fragility Curve for Reinforcement Concrete Pier Bridges in Egypt
Islam M. Ezz El-Arabt
Islam Ezz El-Arab, Structural Engineering Department, Tanta University/ Faculty of Engineering, Tanta.
Manuscript received on November 19, 2012. | Revised Manuscript received on December 14, 2012. | Manuscript published on December 30, 2012. | PP: 392-399 | Volume-2, Issue-2, December 2012. | Retrieval Number: B0828112212 /2012©BEIESP
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Abstract: A seismic vulnerability evaluation method based on structural analysis for RC bridges with simple pier bents is proposed in the paper. The proposed method is based on the hypothesis of the flexible pier-rigid deck behavior of the structure subjected to transversal seismic loads. A flexible pier-rigid deck simplified model was therefore developed. This model has been chosen after verifying the correlation between the responses of the proposed model and of the real structure which was presented by Egyptian General Authority of Roads and Bridges. The damage produced by the earthquake load is centered on the piers of the bridge, while the dynamic study of the deck can be performed after the structural analysis of the piers in an uncoupled way. The maximum damage of the piers under seismic actions is the principal aim of the proposed structural evaluation methodology. A damage index is used for this purpose, which describes the state of the material at each point of the structure. The study success to present the fragility curves which show that the peak ground acceleration for 50% probability of exceeding slight, moderate and sever damage ranges from approximately 0.15 to 0.4 g for this typical and repeated RC bridge in Egypt.
Keywords: Analytical methodology, Fragility curve, Egypt, RC bridges, Seismic analysis.