Modeling and assessment of bridge structure for seismic hazard prevention

This study uses data from Mao-Luo-Hsi Bridge to model the bridge structure and a set of developed alarm and action values to formulate guidelines for bridge maintenance and seismic hazard prevention. The bridge model is improved by incorporating on-site ambient vibration measurement to perform modal analyses. Dynamic analyses of the bridge are implemented using the established 3D model subjected to uniform loading and seismic force, with or without consideration of soil interaction with the structure. The maximum displacements for different sections of the bridge are compared, and statistical regression analyses are used to explore their correlation. Information for bridge safety assessment is proposed, which can mitigate loss of property and lives due to bridge failure. Regression analyses of the maximum displacements between abutments D and E of the considered bridge in the axial, horizontal, and vertical directions under various seismic intensities are conducted, giving R <Superscript>2</Superscript> values of 0.9462, 0.9352, and 0.9010, respectively. The developed maintenance guidelines are reliable since all parameters from regression analyses have a 95% confidence interval excluding the zero value. The bridge alarm value and action value are determined for this bridge site at earthquake intensity scales of 4 and 5, respectively. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2012