Seismic Risk Analysis of Offshore Bridges Considering Seismic Correlation between Vulnerable Components

Abstract

To comprehensively evaluate the seismic performance of offshore bridges, a seismic risk analysis of an example bridge was developed based on improved two-dimensional (2D) seismic fragility analysis. Taking a simply-supported beam bridge in an offshore tidal environment as an example, the adverse effects of chloride ion erosion are considered and the seismic response process of the example bridge is simulated using the Incremental Dynamic Analysis (IDA) method. The appropriate damage indexes are chosen for the plate rubber bearing and the pier, and the one-dimensional (1D) seismic fragility curves of single components and the entire bridge are obtained. The correlation coefficients of vulnerable components are quantitatively proposed based on the correlation analysis method, and the 2D seismic fragility curves of the entire bridge are achieved while accounting for seismic correlation between vulnerable components. The seismic risk probability of the entire bridge is finally determined after combining hazard analysis at the bridge site and seismic loss analysis. The results show that there is a significant correlation between vulnerable components and that 2D seismic fragility analysis based on the reliable correlation coefficients of vulnerable components can more comprehensively evaluate the seismic performance of the entire bridge. In the context of seismic disaster reduction research focused on slight and moderate damage caused by moderate-to-small ground motions, this research can provide scientific and technical support for seismic design and seismic risk assessment of offshore bridges.