AASHTO LRFD

Seismic Bridge
Design
Jingsong Liu
July 20, 2017
History of AASHTO Seismic Specifications
• 1981: ATC-6, Seismic Design Guidelines for
Highway Bridges.
• 1983: Guide Specifications for Seismic Design of
Highway Bridges, 1st Edition.
• 1991: the guidelines were formally adopted into
the Standard Specifications for Highway Bridges,
then revised and reformatted as Division I-A.
• 1994: Division I-A became the basis for the seismic
provisions included in the AASHTO LRFD Bridge
Design Specifications. The latest version is 7th
edition with 2016 Interim.
• 2009: Guide Specifications for LRFD Seismic Bridge
Design, 1st Edition. An alternate to the seismic
provisions in the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design
Specifications
• 2011: Guide Specifications for LRFD Seismic Bridge
Design, 2nd Edition, with 2012, 2014, and 2015
Interim Revisions.
Seismic Hazard Map and Response Spectrum

• 2007 (4th Edition LRFD) and earlier: The seismic

hazard maps have 10% probability of exceedance
in 50 years (which is approximately equivalent to a
15% probability of exceedance in 75 years). This
corresponds to a return period of approximately
475 years.

1 − (1 − 𝑃𝑃)50 = 0.10; 𝑃𝑃 = 0.0021 𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝 𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦

1/𝑃𝑃 = 475.06 𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦
PGA Seismic Map Before 2008
• 2008 Interims and later: The seismic hazard maps
are revised and have 7% probability of exceedance
in 75 years. This corresponds to a return period of
approximately 1000 years.
• 3-Point Method.
o The peak ground acceleration coefficient (PGA) at 0.0
sec and
o The short-period spectral acceleration coefficient (SS)
at 0.2 sec
o The long-period spectral acceleration coefficients (S1)
at 1.0 sec

The recurrence period from 475 to 1000 year does not

double the demand.
PGA Seismic Map Since 2008
Site Effects: Table 3.10.3.1-1—Site Class Definitions

Sites shall be classified by their stiffness as determined by the

shear wave velocity in the upper 100 ft.
o Site Class B (soft rock) is taken to be the reference site
category for the USGS and NEHRP MCE ground shaking
maps.
o Site class B rock is therefore the site condition for which
the site factor is 1.0.
o Site classes A, C, D, and E have separate sets of site factors
for zero-period (Fpga), the short-period range (Fa) and long-
period range (Fv), as indicated in Tables 3.10.3.2-1,
3.10.3.2-2, and 3.10.3.2-3.

𝐴𝐴𝑆𝑆 = 𝐹𝐹𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝 � 𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃

𝑆𝑆𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 = 𝐹𝐹𝑎𝑎 � 𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆
𝑆𝑆𝐷𝐷1 = 𝐹𝐹𝑣𝑣 � 𝑆𝑆1
Seismic Performance Zones
NC 1.0 Sec spectral acceleration coefficients (S1)
Pink Area: SD1>0.15 based on Site Class D.
NCDOT Structure Design Manual, FIGURE 2 – 1
SEISMIC ZONE, LRFD BRIDGE DESIGN SPECIFICATONS
USGS website provides a tool to calculate the
acceleration coefficients per AASHTO seismic hazard
maps in US.
Site Latitude and Longitude
Street address
City, State names
Zipcode

https://earthquake.usgs.gov/designmaps/us/application.php
For Seismic Performance Zones 2 and higher, Design
Response Spectrum needs to be generated.
AASHTO LRFD Load Combinations
 AASHTO Earthquake Load Case: Extreme Event I

 Use load factors of 1.0 for all permanent loads

 γEQ is usually 0.0 For ordinary standard bridge, but it can be
other values as high as 0.5 on a project specific basis for
operationally important structures.
1. Simple span bridges:
o Seismic analysis is not required for single-span bridges,
regardless of seismic zone.
o Connections between the bridge superstructure and the
abutments shall be designed for the minimum force
requirements as specified in Article 3.10.9.
o Minimum support length requirements shall be satisfied at
each abutment as specified in Article 4.7.4.4.
The empirical support length shall be taken as:
𝑁𝑁 = (8 + 0.02 � L + 0.08 � L )(1+ 0.000125 � 𝑆𝑆 2 )
2. Seismic Zone 1
o As<0.05, the horizontal design connection force in the
restrained directions shall not be less than 0.15 times the
vertical reaction due to the tributary permanent load and
the tributary live loads assumed to exist during an
earthquake.
o For other As, the horizontal design connection force in the
restrained directions shall not be less than 0.25 times the
vertical reaction due to the tributary permanent load and
the tributary live loads assumed to exist during an
earthquake.
2016 Interim drops the requirement: The horizontal design
connection force shall be addressed from the point of
application through the substructure and into the foundation
elements.
3. Seismic Zones 2 and up
Analysis for Earthquake Loads (LRFD 4.7.4) for Multispan Bridges
* = no seismic analysis required
UL = uniform load elastic method
SM = single-mode elastic method
MM = multimode elastic method
TH = time history method
Effective Flexural Stiffness of Cracked Reinforced Concrete Sections
Generally two global dynamic analyses should be developed to
approximate the nonlinear response of a bridge with expansion
joints because it possesses different characteristics in tension
and compression (AASHTO Guide Spec 5.1.2):
o In the tension model, the superstructure joints are permitted
to move independently of one another in the longitudinal
direction. Appropriate elements connecting the joints may be
used to model the effects of earthquake restrainers.
o In the compression model, all of the restrainer elements are
inactivated and the superstructure elements are locked
longitudinally to capture structural response modes where
the joints close up, mobilizing the abutments when
applicable.
Actual/Ductile Response
1 – Onset of cracking
2 – Pseudo-yielding point
3 – Maximum plastic deformations
4 – Collapse
Maximum displacements of elastic systems and similar period
ductile systems are roughly equal.
Idealized Elasto-Plastic Response
Ductility Factor – µ
Strength and Ductility Relationship
Force Based Design
Determination of Modified Design Force
 Table 3.10.7.1-1—Response Modification Factors—
Substructures
Operational Category
Substructure
Critical Essential Other

Wall-type piers—larger dimension 1.5 1.5 2.0

Reinforced concrete pile bents

Vertical piles only 1.5 2.0 3.0

With batter piles 1.5 1.5 2.0

Single columns 1.5 2.0 3.0
Steel or composite steel and concrete pile bents
Vertical pile only 1.5 3.5 5.0
With batter piles 1.5 2.0 3.0

Multiple column bents 1.5 3.5 5.0

If an inelastic time history method of analysis is used, the response modification

factor, R, shall be taken as 1.0 for all substructure and connections.
Combination of Seismic Force Effects

The elastic seismic force effects on each of the principal axes

of a component resulting from analyses in the two
perpendicular directions shall be combined to form two load
cases as follows:
o 100 percent of the absolute value of the force effects in one
of the perpendicular directions combined with 30 percent
of the absolute value of the force effects in the second
perpendicular direction, and
o 100 percent of the absolute value of the force effects in the
second perpendicular direction combined with 30 percent
of the absolute value of the force effects in the first
perpendicular direction.
Capacity Protection Design:

Reaching the elastic capacity (yield) of one member protects adjacent

members from excessive force.

Member Strengths
• Nominal strength, Sn
• Design strength, Sd = φ Sn
φ: strength reduction factor < 1.0

• Overstrength, So = φo Sn
AASHTO LRFD APPENDIX B3—OVERSTRENGTH RESISTANCE
φo: overstrength factor > 1.0,
1.3 for reinforced concrete columns and
1.25 for structural steel columns
For reinforced concrete columns

𝑀𝑀𝑜𝑜 = 1.3𝑀𝑀𝑛𝑛

∑ 𝑀𝑀𝑜𝑜
𝑉𝑉𝑜𝑜 =
∑ 𝐿𝐿𝑖𝑖
1. Seismic Zone 2
Except for foundations, seismic design forces for all components, including pile
bents and retaining walls, shall be determined by dividing the elastic seismic
forces, obtained from Article 3.10.8, by the appropriate response modification
factor, R, specified in Table 3.10.7.1-1.

Seismic design forces for foundations, other than pile bents and retaining
walls, shall be determined by dividing elastic seismic forces, obtained from
Article 3.10.8, by half of the response modification factor, R, from Table
3.10.7.1-1, for the substructure component to which it is attached. The value
of R/2 shall not be taken as less than 1.0.
2. Seismic Zones 3 and 4
The design forces of each component shall be taken as the
lesser of those determined using:
• Modified design forces shall be determined as specified in
Article 3.10.9.3, except that for foundations the R-factor
shall be taken as 1.0; or
• Inelastic Hinging Forces resulting from plastic hinging at the
top and/or bottom of the column
for all components of a column, column bent and its foundation
and connections.
Overstrength Forces for Zones 2, 3 & 4
• For SDCs B and C, ASTM A 706 Grade 60 reinforcing steel
shall be used in members where plastic hinging is
expected. ASTM A 615 Grade 60 reinforcing steel may be
used in members where plastic hinging is expected, with
the Owner’s approval.
• For SDC D, ASTM A 706 Grade 60 reinforcing steel shall
be used in members where plastic hinging is expected.
• Transverse reinforcement shall be butt-welded hoops.
Spiral reinforcement is not allowed in cast-in-place
concrete columns and drilled shafts.
• Where ductility is to be assured or where welding is
required, steel conforming to the requirements of ASTM
A706, “Low Alloy Steel Deformed Bars for Concrete
Reinforcement,” should be specified.
A706 versus A615
• low-alloy, welding steel
• tighter strength limits with yield strength not to
exceed 18 ksi above minimum fy
 tensile strength must be at least 1.25 of the
actual yield strength
• used where greater ductility is required
• generally available -- a small premium of compared to
A615 bars
APPENDIX A3—SEISMIC
DESIGN FLOWCHARTS

Figure A3-1—Seismic
Design Procedure Flow
Chart
Figure A3-2—Seismic Detailing
and Foundation Design Flow
Chart
Displacement Based Method

• In forced based method, elastic demand force is

applied with prescribed ductility factors “R” for
anticipated Deformation. Ductile response is
assumed to be adequate but without verification.
• In displacement based method, displacement
demands are compared with displacement capacity.
Ductile response is assured for each seismic design
category.
Table 3.5-1—Partitions for Seismic Design Categories
A, B, C, and D
1. Design Requirements For Seismic Design Category A
• The same as AASHTO LRFD
2. Design Requirements For Seismic Design Category B
• SDC B structures are designed and detailed to achieve
a displacement ductility, µD, of around 2.
• Use formula to perform displacement capacity
verification
• Capacity Design Required for column shear & footing
3. Design Requirements For Seismic Design Category C
• SDC C structures are designed and detailed to
achieve a displacement ductility, µD, of around 3.
• Use formula to perform displacement capacity
verification
• Capacity Design Required for column shear &
footing
4. Design Requirements For Seismic Design Category D
• SDC D structures are designed and detailed to
achieve a displacement ductility, µD, of at most 6.
• The Nonlinear Static Procedure (NSP), commonly
referred to as “pushover” analysis, shall be used to
perform displacement capacity verification
• Capacity Design Required for column shear &
footing
Capacity Design Principles
• For steel members:
𝑀𝑀𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝 = 𝜆𝜆𝑚𝑚𝑜𝑜 𝑀𝑀𝑛𝑛
where:
Mn = nominal moment strength for which expected steel
strengths for steel members are used
λmo = overstrength factor taken as 1.2

• For concrete members:

Guide Specs 8.5

𝑀𝑀𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝 = 𝜆𝜆𝑚𝑚𝑜𝑜 𝑀𝑀𝑝𝑝

where:
Mne: the expected nominal moment capacity based on the expected
concrete and reinforcing steelstrengths when either the concrete
strain reaches amagnitude of 0.003 or the reinforcing steel strain
reaches the reduced ultimate tensile strain as defined in Table 8.4.2-1.
Mp = idealized plastic moment capacity of reinforced concrete member
based on expected material properties
Mpo = overstrength plastic moment capacity
λmo = overstrength magnifier
= 1.2 for ASTM A 706 reinforcement
= 1.4 for ASTM A 615 Grade 60 reinforcement
QUESTIONS?