Comparison of Nonlinear Static Procedures and Modeling Assumptions for the Seismic Design of Ordinary Bridges

AbstractThe three most common nonlinear displacement-based methods were applied in the seismic design of two bridges in western Tennessee, and their results in terms of maximum seismic displacement demand and displacement ductility were compared. In addition, two different support-modeling configurations were evaluated. The results indicate that use of the simplified LRFD procedure results in a displacement demand higher than that of the other procedures. The support configuration with simplified seat-type abutments with rigid bent foundations provides results not significantly different than those achieved from the more detailed configuration with stub-wall abutment with flexible bent foundations, but it required fewer modeling efforts.