Fundamentals of seismic protection for bridges (Publication / Earthquake Engineering Research Institute)

Fundamentals of Seismic Protection for Bridges covers the basic aspects of the seismic performance of bridges during past earthquakes, current practices in the seismic analysis and design of new bridges, and retrofit strategies. Also included is an extensive glossary of terms pertaining to bridges and their elements. The monograph examines how bridge performance has been affected by construction, design details, proximity to different hazards, and the characteristics of surrounding soil. In exploring current practices for new bridges, it deals with how to design bridges for the variety of hazards that can occur during an earthquake. Also described are seismic demands on bridges and performance-based design; i.e., how to design and detail bridges and their elements to meet performance requirements. Additionally, the monograph focuses on the steps that a comprehensive bridge retrofit program would require, including the prioritizing, screening, and selection processes, as well as the analysis needed to identify vulnerabilities and develop alternate retrofit strategies.