LOSS-BASED SEISMIC PRIORITISATION OF EXISTING RC GIRDER BRIDGES

In earthquake-prone countries, transport network managers need to perform extensive seismic risk prioritisation coping with a remarkable number of bridges characterised by a lack of knowledge data. This study proposes an efficient framework for risk-based prioritisation of bridges based on direct economic loss calculation including explicit consideration of knowledge-based uncertainty. The framework requires data on bridge structural and geometric features which can be collected based on existing blueprints or a fast on-site survey. Epistemic uncertainties are propagated by using statistical sampling techniques. It adopts a simplified analysis approach to perform fragility analysis and calculate losses in terms of the repair cost. The case-study section demonstrates the framework for eight simply supported girder bridges characterised by reinforced concrete single-column piers. The results in terms of fragility curves, loss ratio curves and expected annual losses are reported and discussed. Based on the results, it is possible to address more refined data collection and retrofit on critical bridges.