CE 528
Spring
2010
SEISMIC ANALYSIS AND DESIGN OF
REINFORCED CONCRETE
BRIDGES
Prof. Yan Xiao
Tel: 740-6130
yanxiao@usc.edu
General Information
This course discusses the fundamental concepts and modern methods used in seismic
analysis and design of reinforced concrete bridges. Current practice and design codes are
critically examined. Challenges in the practice of assessment and retrofit design of
existing bridges are also specifically addressed.
Special emphasis is given to discuss the performance of structures and structural
elements based on the state-of-the-art research results and actual earthquake observations.
Fundamentals related to computer modeling for bridge analysis is then specifically
discussed. Several computer programs are introduced and evaluated. The emphasis is on
the simplification of bridge structure model as well as the justification of computer
output.
The participating students will be divided into several project groups. Each group will
be given a project for analysis and design of an actual bridge throughout the semester.
Both team and individual efforts will be required to complete the project. Special
discussion and presentation sessions will also be provided to help students from different
groups learn from each other.
Unit:
3 units, graduate level.
Prerequisite: CE457, Reinforced Concrete Design.
Ref. Text:
- Priestley, Seible, and Calvi, “Seismic Design and Retrofit of Bridges”
published by Wiley, May 1996.
- Handout materials of recent technical papers.
References:
i. “Standard Specifications for Seismic Design of Highway Bridges,”
AASHTO, Washington D.C., recent version.
ii. “Bridge Substructure and Foundation Design,” P.P. Xanthakos,
published by Prentice Hall PTR, 1995.
iii. “AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications,” recent Edition,
Washington, D.C.
iv. “Bridge Design Specification,” California Transportation Department
(CALTRANS), 2002.
v. “Bridge Analysis by Microcomputer,” Jaeger, et.al., McGrawHill, 1989.
Class:
Thursday, 6:30pm to 9:10pm. KAP138.
Office hour: Thursday, 4-5:30pm, KAP 224B, or by appointment.
Grading:
2-3 Homework Assignments and project term report
Midterm Exam/project
Final Exam: final presentation and report of the project
Final exam: May 6, Thursday, 7:00pm to 9:00pm. KAP138.
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Lecture Contents
Week
Date
1
1/14
Topics
Project
HW
Chapter-1 Introduction
1.1 Bridge Aesthetics
1.2 Brief Review of Prestressed Concrete
1.3 Bridge Type and Construction
2
1/21
1.4 Bridge Performance in Past Earthquakes
1.5 Scope of the Course
3
1/28
Chapter-2 General Design Considerations for
Task-1: dead load and
live load.
Bridges
2.1 General Design Approaches
2.2 Loads on Bridges
2.3 Combinations of Loads
4
2/4
5
2/11
2.4 Non Seismic Analysis and Design
Chapter-3 Seismic Design of Bridges
3.1 Earthquake Forces
3.2 Resisting Systems in Bridge
6
2/18
3.3 Performance Criteria
#1
3.4 Seismic Design Philosophy and Approach
7
2/25
Presentation and Discussion of Task-1
Task-1 presentation
and discussion
8
3/4
Chapter-4 Seismic Response and Analysis
4.1 Objectives
4.2 Fundamentals of RC Modeling
Task-2: seismic force
and analysis
(computer work
needed)
9
3/11
4.3 Modeling of Bridge Components
4.4 Elastic Analysis
4.5 Pushover Analysis
10 
3/18
11
3/25
Mid term exam
12
4/1
4.6 Inelastic Time-History Analysis
NO!
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Lecture Contents (continued)
Week
Date
13
4/8
14
4/15
15
4/22
Topics
Project
Chapter-5 Principles of RC Bridge Design
5.1 Superstructure
5.2 Substructure
Midterm Examination
5.2 Substructure
5.3 Other Bridge Elements
Chapter-6 Seismic Analysis and Retrofit
6.1 Potential Problem Areas and Actual
Damage
#2
Task-3: design.
6.2 Assessment and Retrofit Design Criteria
6.3 Superstructure Retrofit
6.4 Substructure Retrofit (column, footing,
connections)
6.5 Other Techniques
16
4/29
Chapter-7 Practical Challenges
7.1 Design and testing of a single column
bridge bent designed to current standards
7.2 Earthquake damage analysis of a multicolumn bent bridge
7.3 Foundation problem and design.
17
5/6
HW
Final exam or presentation
Note: Any student requesting academic accommodations based on disability is required to register with
Disability Services and Programs (DSP) each semester. A letter of verification for approved
accommodations can be obtained from DSP. Please be sure the letter is delivered to the instructor (or the
TA) as early in the semester as possible. DSP is located in STU301 and is open 8:30am-5:00pm., Monday
through Friday. The phone number for DSP is 213-740-0776. (This statement is suggested by the Office of
the Provost.)
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