Developing a Methodology for Comparison of Extreme Hazards for Highway Bridge Design

Load combination and load factors of extreme event limit states have not been properly calibrated in the current American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Load and Resistance Design Factors (LRFD) specifications for a uniform reliability target. Bridge collapses and damage in recent extreme hazard events have elevated the need to carefully examine these hazard loads for design purposes. This paper is a progress report of a research project, sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration, to develop a methodology to compare hazards by exploring commeasurable criteria across extreme events to establish quantifiable measurements for bridge structural design to protect against extreme events. In consideration of the uncertainties of extreme hazards and the different design concepts for individual hazards, “collapse hazard intensity” is conceptually selected as a preferable comparison reference vis-à-vis code-specified design hazard intensity. However, the collapse intensity has yet to be carefully established for each extreme hazard. To illustrate the methodology, this paper uses a temporary substitute measure called “uniform comparison hazard intensity” in place of “collapse hazard intensity” in the examples of three selected extreme hazards: earthquake, wind and vessel collision. The results of this pilot study are presented and discussed to explain the approach pursued in this research project to establish a platform of comparison for different extreme hazards.

• Corporate Authors:

  Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering Research

  State University of New York, 107 Red Jacket Quadrangle, P.O. Box 610025
  Buffalo, NY  United States  14261-0025
• Authors:
  • Lee, George C
  • Cho, Sangyul
  • Tong, Mai
  • Yen, W Phillip
• Conference:
  • Sixth National Seismic Conference on Bridges and Highways
  • Location: Charleston SC, United States
  • Date: 2008-7-28 to 2008-7-30
• Publication Date: 2008

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: 13p
• Monograph Title: Sixth National Seismic Conference on Bridges and Highways: Seismic Technologies for Extreme Loads

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alternatives analysis; Bridge design; Collapse; Crashes; Earthquakes; Hazards; Highway bridges; Methodology; Wind
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Highways; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01356100
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 31 2011 9:53AM