Development of a Performance Evaluation Database for Concrete Bridge Components and Systems under Simulated Seismic Loads

Through lessons learned in recent earthquakes, the need for new seismic bridge design methodologies that consider structural performance explicitly and address the inelastic response of bridge structures more directly is recognized. Efforts are in progress to define and quantify limit states and associated performance goals to develop a multi-level bridge design methodology. A multi-level design approach can only be implemented, however, when structural behavior or limit states can accurately be characterized and assessed for the wide range of probable input or demands. The outlined capacity assessment database addresses the response determination and parameterization of bridge components, sub-assemblages, and systems in direct support of the development of multi-level performance design and evaluation procedures for bridges. Through the use of a standardized template, a performance library for bridge structures, which is open for access and expansion to the entire practicing bridge engineering community, has been initiated.