PEER Reports

The objective of this study is to evaluate the consequences of earthquake events to transportation network systems and to develop a probabilistic framework in which to quantify them. The estimation of structural damage to bridges due to earthquakes is discussed, and a methodology is presented to assess the probability density function of the structural loss for single or multiple bridges. The two new uncertainties that are included in the formulations are those related to the replacement cost and the damage factor. Operational loss is computed based on the fixed-demand assumption. The...

One-dimensional seismic ground response analyses are often performed using equivalent-linear procedures, which require few, generally well- known parameters. Nonlinear analyses have the potential to more accurately simulate soil behavior, but implementation in practice has been limited because of poorly documented and unclear parameter selection and code usage protocols, as well as inadequate documentation of the benefits of nonlinear modeling relative to equivalent-linear modeling. Regarding code usage/parameter selection protocols, we note the following: (1) when input motions are from...

The research presented in this report is part of a larger analytical and experimental investigation to develop and validate design methods for self-centering concrete columns that inherently have relatively small residual displacements following severe earthquake shaking. The main objectives of this study are to investigate the seismic performance, identify the key design variables, and evaluate the effect of different ground motions and different column configurations for a self-centering reinforced concrete (RC) column with unbonded prestressing strand placed at the center of the cross...

In recent years, typical steel construction in regions of high seismic risk has shifted from moment-resisting frames to concentrically braced frames. As a result of the increased popularity of braced frames, the poor performance of some conventionally braced frames in past earthquakes, and the limited experimental data available on the inelastic response and the failure characteristics of braced-frame systems, a series of experimental and analytical investigations were initiated. The tests reported on herein contain some of the first data available on braced frames constructed in...