Messina Bridge - Seismic Response and Design

The paper discusses the main issues concerning the seismic design of the Messina Bridge. The assumptions at the base of the design earthquake are given and the hazard level addressed by comparative evaluations. The rationale governing the design phase of the bridge is presented in some detail focusing on the governing parameters and critical structural components. Scenario and simulated earthquakes are defined and used to check on the robustness and sensitivity of the seismic response of the bridge to a variety of highly demanding earthquakes and to some delicate design aspects. The results of the geometric and material non linear analyses performed indicate that the design earthquake is conservative, the seismic response is weakly sensitive to the design parameter changes and the stresses remains always within the elastic limits as required by the design basis.