A rapid financial seismic risk assessment methodology with application to bridge piers

Abstract

Expected annual loss (EAL), is an effective way of communicating the seismic vulnerability of constructed facilities to decision makers. A simplified method for approximating EAL without conducting time consuming non-linear dynamic analyses is presented. Relationships between intensity measures and engineering demand parameters resulting from a pushover analysis and a modified version of the capacity spectrum method are combined with a variety of epistemic and aleotoric uncertainties to arrive at a demand model. Financial implications due to damage are quantified by loss ratios defined as repair cost divided by replacement cost. The method is verified by performing a comprehensive Incremental Dynamic Analysis. An example illustrating the method is performed, comparing the seismic vulnerability of two highway bridge piers; one designed for ductility, and the other designed for damage avoidance. The damage avoidance pier has a clear advantage over the conventional pier, with an EAL some 80% less than its ductile counterpart.