Bridge Seismic Design
Bridge Seismic Design
Bridge Seismic Design
0
Berkeley, California, USA
Version 14
April 2009
SAP2000
/Bridge
Bridge Seismic Design
Automated Seismic Design of Bridges
AASHTO Guide Specification for
LRFD Seismic Bridge Design
COPYRIGHT
Copyright Computers & Structures, Inc., 1978-2009
All rights reserved.
The CSI Logo
and SAP2000
and Acrobat
are registered trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorported. AutoCAD
is a registered
trademark of Autodesk, Inc.
The computer program SAP2000
3
K EI T
K EI T
2
K EI T
f = yield calculated from an average
spt blow count N.
T = 5.1 feet; this effective length is
used in modeling the bridge foundation.
1 5
EI f Point of fixity
3
K EI T
K EI T
2
K EI T
f = yield calculated from an average
spt blow count N.
T = 5.1 feet; this effective length is
used in modeling the bridge foundation.
1 5
EI f
Figure 1-21 Equivalent Pile Properties
After the lengths of the piles were known, the piles were connected to an area
object representing the pile cap. The cap was meshed at the top of the pile loca-
tions. The completed pile cap appears in Figure 1-22, which is shown using a
3D extruded view.
1.9 Bent Foundation Modeling
The next and critical step in the model definition is to connect the foundation to
the base of the bent columns. For this example, joint constraints were used as
illustrated in Figure 1-23. This method of connecting the column base to the
foundation preserves connectivity even when updating the linked bridge model.
STEP 1 - Create the Bridge Model
Mass Source 1 - 17
Figure 1-22 View of Bent Foundations
Figure 1-23 Bent Column Base Connectivity
1.10 Mass Source
The Mass Source definition is used to define the mass and loads to be included
in the modal and response spectrum load cases. In this example, the combined
weight of the parapets and wearing surface was approximated as 2.0 kips per
linear foot acting along the bridge deck. A load pattern was added as a super-
imposed type with the name SDEAD. Using the option, From Element and
Column-to-Foundation Connection
SAP2000/Bridge Seismic Design
1 - 18 Mass Source
Additional Masses and Loads, the program will calculate the self weight of the
bridge structure and include that mass along with the mass derived from the
SDEAD load assignment.
Figure 1-24 Mass Source Definition
Overview 2 - 1
STEP 2
Ground Motion Hazard and Seismic Design Request
2.1 Overview
The ground motion hazard (response spectrum) can be determined by
SAP2000/Bridge by defining the bridge location using the latitude and longi-
tude or the postal zone. As an alternative, the user can input any user defined
response spectrum file. The site effects (soil site classifications) also are con-
sidered and are part of the user input data.
2.2 AASHTO and USGS Hazard Maps
The recently adopted AASHTO Guide Specification for the LRFD Seismic
Bridge Design incorporates hazard maps based on a 1000-year return period.
When the user defines the bridge location by Latitude and Longitude,
SAP2000/Bridge creates the appropriate response spectra curve as follows:
SAP2000/Bridge Seismic Design
2 - 2 AASHTO and USGS Hazard Maps
Figure 2-1 AASHTO/USGS Hazard Maps used to determine the Demand Response Spectrum
Figure 2-2 Response Spectrum Function Data form
From the Response Spectrum Data form, the values for S
DS
and S
D1
are deter-
mined by SAP2000 and reported. The S
D1
value is used to determine the Seis-
STEP 2 - Ground Motion Hazard and Seismic Design Request
Seismic Design Request 2 - 3
mic Design Category (SDC). The SDC is used to determine the analysis and
design requirements to be applied to the bridge. For example, if the SDC is A,
no capacity displacement calculation is performed. If the SDC is B or C,
SAP2000 uses an implicit formula (see Section 4.8 of the AASHTO Seismic
Guide Specification). If the SDC is D, SAP2000 uses a nonlinear pushover
analysis to determine the capacity displacements.
2.3 Seismic Design Request
The Design menu > Bridge
Design > Define Seismic De-
sign Request command ac-
cesses a form that can be used
to specify the name and de-
sign request parameters for a
Seismic Design Request. The
form is shown in Figure 2-3.
Figure 2-3 Bridge Design
Request form
For this example, clicking the Modify/Show button will display the Substruc-
ture Seismic Design Request Parameters form, shown in Figure 2-4. A brief
description of the parameters on that form follows.
Item Substructure Seismic Design Request Parameter
1 Response Spec-
trum Function
After a response spectrum function has been defined (see Step 2), the
name of the response spectrum to be used for a specific Seismic Design
Request should be selected here.
2 Seismic Design
Category (SDC)
Option
The user can choose to have the SDC be selected by the program (i.e.,
Programmed Determined), or the user can impose a value for the SDC
(i.e., User Defined). To impose a value, select it from Item 3, the Seis-
mic Design Category.
SAP2000/Bridge Seismic Design
2 - 4 Seismic Design Request
Figure 2-4 Seismic Design Parameters form
Item Substructure Seismic Design Request Parameter
3 Seismic Design
Category
If the user has opted to specify the Seismic Design Category in Item 2,
the user must specify the Seismic Design Category here as B, C or D.
4 Bent Displace-
ment Demand
Factor
This is a scale factor. The bent displacement demands obtained from
the response-spectrum analysis are multiplied by this factor. It can be
used to modify the displacement demand due to a damping value
other than 5%, or to magnify the demand for short-period structures.
This factor will be applied to all bents in both the longitudinal and
transverse directions.
5 Gravity Load
Case Option
The user can specify which gravity load case is used to determine the
cracked section properties for the bent columns. The choices include
Auto-Entire Structure, Auto Current BrObj or User Defined. As a default,
all Dead and Super Dead loads are included in the Auto-Entire Structure
gravity load case.
6 Gravity Load
Case
If the User Option is selected for the gravity load case option in item 5
above, the gravity load case name must be selected here.
STEP 2 - Ground Motion Hazard and Seismic Design Request
Seismic Design Request 2 - 5
Item Substructure Seismic Design Request Parameter
7 Additional
Group
If the Auto-This Bridge Object option is selected for the gravity load
case option in item 5 above, an additional group can be included in the
gravity load case. This item is only required when the gravity load case
is program determined. It may include pile foundations and other auxil-
iary structures.
8 Include P-Delta If P-Delta Effects are to be included, the user needs to specify yes here.
P-Delta effects will cause a more abrupt drop in the pushover curve
results if an idealized bilinear hinge has been assigned to the bent col-
umns. It is recommended that an initial Seismic Design Request be
performed before including the P-Delta effects to help the user under-
stand the nonlinear behavior of the bents.
9 Cracked
Property
Option
The cracked section properties for the bent columns can be automati-
cally determined by the program or they can be user defined. If pro-
gram determined, the automatic gravity load case will be run iteratively.
Section Designer will use the calculated axial force at the top and bot-
tom on the column to determine the cracked moments of inertia in the
positive and negative transverse and longitudinal directions. The aver-
age of the top and bottom column cracked properties will be applied as
named property modifier sets and the analysis will be re-run to make
sure the cracked-modified model converges to within the specified
tolerance.
10 Convergence
Tolerance
This value sets the relative convergence tolerance for the bent-column
cracked-property iteration. This item is required only when the cracked-
property calculation is program determined.
11 Maximum
Number of
Iterations
This value sets the maximum number of iterations allowed for the bent-
column cracked-property iteration. The first run is considered to be the
zero-th iteration. Usually only one iteration is needed. This item is re-
quired only when the cracked-property calculation is program deter-
mined.
12 Accept
Unconverged
Results
Convergence
Specifies whether or not the seismic design should continue if the bent-
column cracked-property iteration fails to converge. This item is re-
quired only when the cracked-property calculation is program deter-
mined.
13 Modal Load
Case Option
Specifies whether the modal load case is to be determined by program
or specified by the user. The modal load case is used as the basis of the
response-spectrum load case that represents the seismic design. If pro-
gram determined, the modal load case will use the stiffness at the end
of the auto-gravity load case that includes the cracked property effects.
If user-defined, the user can control the initial stiffness, Eigen vs. Ritz,
and other modal parameters by selecting the user defined modal load
case in item 14.
14 Modal Load
Case
The name of an existing modal load case to be used as the basis of the
response-spectrum load case. This item is required only if the modal
load case option is user-defined in item 13 above.
SAP2000/Bridge Seismic Design
2 - 6 Perform Seismic Design
Item Substructure Seismic Design Request Parameter
15 Response Spec-
trum Load Case
Option
Specifies whether the response-spectrum load case is to be determined
by program or specified by the user. The response-spectrum load case
represents the seismic demand. If program determined, this load case
will use the given response-spectrum function and modal load case.
Acceleration load will be applied in the longitudinal and transverse
directions of the bridge object, and combined using the 100% + 30%
rule. If user-defined, the user can control the loading or select SRSS as
the method to account for directional combinations.
16 Response Spec-
trum Load Case
The name of an existing response-spectrum load case that represents
the seismic demand. This item is required only if the response-spectrum
load case option is user-defined.
17 Response Spec-
trum
Angle Option
Specifies whether the angle of loading in the response-spectrum load
case is to be determined by program or specified by the user. If pro-
gram determined, the longitudinal (U1) loading direction is chosen to
be from the start abutment to the end abutment, both points located
on the reference line of the bridge object. This item is required only if
the response-spectrum load case option is user-defined.
18 Response Spec-
trum
Angle
Angle (degree, from global X) that defines the direction of the response
spectrum load case. This item is required only if the response spectrum
load case is User-defined.
19 Foundation
Group
If foundations are included and explicitly modeled, then the foundation
objects need to be assigned to a group and that group needs to be
identified here. This way the foundation objects will be included in the
pushover load case. This item is required only if the seismic design cate-
gory is D.
20 Pushover
Target Dis-
placement
Ratio
The target displacement is defined as the target ratio of Capac-
ity/Demand for the pushover analyses. This item is required only if the
seismic design category is D.
21 Bent Failure
Criterion
The criteria to determine the bent failure. <Pushover Curve Drop>
means the bent fails when the pushover curve slope becomes negative.
This item is required only if the seismic design category is D.
2.4 Perform Seismic Design
It is not necessary to execute an analysis of the bridge model before running
the Seismic Design Request. To start the Bridge Seismic Design Request, the
Design Now command should be selected while in the Perform Bridge Design
form, which is shown in Figure 2-5.
STEP 2 - Ground Motion Hazard and Seismic Design Request
Auto Load Patterns 2 - 7
Figure 2-5 Perform Seismic Design
2.5 Auto Load Patterns
After the Bridge Seismic Design has been run, the user can review the load pat-
tern and load cases that SAP2000/Bridge has automatically generated using the
Define Load Patterns form show in Figure 2-6.
Figure 2-6 Auto Load Patterns
2.6 Auto Load Cases
The reason for each of the auto load cases is explained in Step 7.
SAP2000/Bridge Seismic Design
2 - 8 Auto Load Cases
Figure 2-7 Auto Load Cases
Overview 3 - 1
Step 3
Dead Load Analysis and Cracked Section Properties
3.1 Overview
As shown in the schematic included in the Foreword, the third step begins with
the dead load analysis of the entire bridge model. The results of the dead load
analysis are then used to verify the analytical model followed by the determina-
tion of the cracked section properties that are then applied to the bent columns as
frame section property modifiers. The reduced stiffnesses of the bent columns
will affect the response spectrum and pushover analyses. The frame section prop-
erty modifiers are defined separately for each of the bent and abutment columns
as a named property set. The user can use the Section Designer program to ob-
serve the moment-curvatures and I,
cracked
properties for the various cross-sections
(see also Step 5).
Auto load patterns and auto load cases are produced by the program. The load
case, which has the default name, _GRAV_SDReq1, is automatically developed
by SAP2000/Bridge as a single stage construction load case and is used to apply
the cracked section property modifiers to the columns. Figure 3-1 shows the
Load Case Data form for the _GRAV_SDReq1 load case. The auto load cases are
not modifiable.
SAP2000/Bridge Seismic Design
3 - 2 Overview
Figure 3-1 Auto Stage Construction Load Case used to apply
Cracked Section Property Modifiers
As an option, the user can overwrite the cracked section property determined by
the program and instead, apply a user defined value. See Step 2 for the user op-
tions available in the Seismic Design Request.
Overview 4 - 1
Step 4
Response Spectrum and Demand Displacements
4.1 Overview
The seismic response of the entire bridge structure is analyzed by SAP2000/
Bridge using the response spectrum function defined in Step 2. The number of
modes used by SAP2000/Bridge is automated and depends on the number of
bridge spans. The user should check the total mass participation to ensure that an
adequate number of modes are included in the modal analysis. The response
spectrum displacements are used by SAP2000/Bridge as the displacement de-
mands as defined in Section 4.4 of the AASHTO Seismic Guide Specification.
4.2 Response Spectrum Load Cases
Three response spectrum load cases are automatically produced by SAP2000/
Bridge: _RS_X_SDReq1, _RS_Y_SDReq1 and _RS_XY_SDReq1. The first two
response spectrum load cases apply the dynamic loads along the U1 and U2 di-
rections. The U1 direction is defined as the longitudinal loading direction that is
chosen to be from the start abutment to the end abutment, both points located on
the reference line of the bridge object. If the user wants to apply a response spec-
trum load along a different axis, a directional overwrite is available in the Sub-
structure Seismic Design Parameters form (see Chapter 2).
SAP2000 Bridge Seismic Design
4 - 2 Response Spectrum Load Cases
Figure 4-1 U1 Direction Response Spectrum LOAD Case form
The third response spectrum load case uses a Directional Combination option of
ABS, with an ABS scale factor of 0.3. This response spectrum load case will
satisfy the AASHTO Seismic Guide Specification, Section 4.4, which requires
the response spectrum loads to be combined using the 100/30 percent rule in each
of the major directions. The single response spectrum load case,
_RS_XY_SDReq1, envelopes the maximum response spectrum results for each of
the combinations 100/30 and 30/100. The Load Case Data form for the response
spectrum load case _RS_XY_SDReq1 is shown in Figure 4-2.
The modal damping coefficient is set to 5 percent, but this value can be modified
as necessary by the user in the Substructure Seismic Design Parameters form
(Chapter 2).
Step 4 - Response Spectrum and Demand Displacements
Response Spectrum Load Cases 4 - 3
Figure 4-2 ABS Response Spectrum LOAD Case form
To illustrate the ABS directional combination feature, the following BENT1 dis-
placements are summarized for example model MO_1C:
Figure 4-3 BENT1 Displacements for the three
Auto Defined Response Spectrum Load cases
SAP2000 Bridge Seismic Design
4 - 4 Response Spectrum Results
Figure 4-4 Modal Load Case Definition
4.3 Response Spectrum Results
Upon completion of the response spectra analysis, the displacements are tabu-
lated for each bent. The displacements are calculated using Generalized Dis-
placements to account for the average cap beam displacements and the relative
displacement between the cap beam and foundation. The displacements for the
ABS response spectrum load case also are tabulated for each of the bearing ac-
tive degrees of freedom. These can be view using the Display menu > Show
Tables command by selecting the Design Results for Bridge Seismic option and
selecting the Support Bearing Demands-Deformations item. These displacements
also can be displayed and animated on screen or read from the quick report cre-
ated using the Design menu > Bridge > Quick Report command.
Overview 5 - 1
Step 5
Determine Plastic Hinge Properties and Assignments
5.1 Overview
For bridge structures having a Seismic Design Category (SDC) D the
AASHTO Seismic Guide Specification requires that the displacement capacity
be determined using a nonlinear pushover analysis. This requires that the col-
umn plastic hinge lengths and plastic hinge properties be determined for each
column that participates as part of the Earthquake Resisting System (ERS).
In this step, the methodologies used to calculate the plastic hinge lengths and
properties will be explained. After the hinge properties have been determined,
the plastic hinges are assigned to the ERS columns. The automation of the plas-
tic hinge assignments will also be explained in this step.
5.2 Plastic Hinge Lengths
The plastic hinge lengths used in the Seismic Design Request is determined for
the AASHTO Seismic Guide Specification, Section 4.11.6, as follows:
Plastic Hinge Length, 008 015
P ye bl
L . L . f d ,
where
SAP2000/Bridge Seismic Design
5 - 2 Plastic Hinge Lengths
ye
f = the effective yield strength of the longitudinal reinforcing, and
bl
d = the diameter of the longitudinal reinforcing.
The hinge length is compared to the value for the maximum hinge length value
described as, 03
P ye bl
L . f d , and the controlling value is used. After the hinge
lengths and properties have been determined, the hinges are placed on the bent
columns at each end of the column at distances from each end equal to 1/2 the
hinge length, as shown below in Figure 5-1.
Figure 5-1 Hinge Locations
Step 5 - Determine Plastic Hinge Properties and Assignments
Nonlinear Hinge Properties 5 - 3
Figure 5-2 Hinge Locations
5.3 Nonlinear Hinge Properties
Currently, the SAP2000/Bridge Automated Seismic Design Request uses a
hinge property that is consistent with the AASHTO/CALTRANS idealized bi-
linear moment-curvature diagram, as shown in Figure 5-3. From the moment
curvature shown, the yield and plastic moments along with the I,
cracked
proper-
ties can be observed for a specific axial load, P. Note that this form is made
available to allow users to better understand the effects of axial loads and fiber
mesh layouts on the frame member properties. The axial load values input on
this form are not used in the analysis and design of a model.
SAP2000/Bridge Seismic Design
5 - 4 Nonlinear Hinge Properties
Figure 5-3 Moment Curvature Diagram
Typically, the axial loads in the bent columns change as the bent is pushed over
due to the overturning effects. Therefore, the yield and plastic moments will
change depending on the amount of axial load present in a particular column at
a particular pushover step. These effects are captured in the nonlinear hinge re-
sponses whenever P-M or P-M-M hinges are specified. For this reason, the
Automated Seismic Design procedure assigns coupled P-M-M hinges to the
bent columns. The default settings are shown in Figure 5-4. The length of the
plastic hinge also is calculated by SAP2000/Bridge when using the Automated
Seismic Design procedure.
Step 5 - Determine Plastic Hinge Properties and Assignments
Nonlinear Hinge Properties 5 - 5
Figure 5-4 Auto Hinge Assignment Data
Figure 5-5 Sample Hinge Data form
SAP2000/Bridge Seismic Design
5 - 6 Nonlinear Material Property Definitions
Upon completion of the Pushover Analysis, the Hinge Results can be traced.
This feature is explained in detail in Step 6.
5.4 Nonlinear Material Property Definitions
The ductile behavior of a plastic hinge is significantly affected by the nonlinear
material property used to define the frame member receiving the hinges. The
material nonlinear properties must be defined using the Advanced Nonlinear
Material Data forms.
5.4.1 Nonlinear Material Property Definitions for Concrete
For concrete the nonlinear material property data form appears in Figure 5-6 as
follows:
Figure 5-6 Nonlinear Material Data form for Concrete
Step 5 - Determine Plastic Hinge Properties and Assignments
Nonlinear Material Property Definitions 5 - 7
Figure 5-7 Nonlinear Stress-Strain curves for Confined and Unconfined Concrete
Figure 5-8 Concrete Model - Mander Confined
SAP2000/Bridge Seismic Design
5 - 8 Nonlinear Material Property Definitions
5.4.2 Nonlinear Material Property Definitions for Steel
Similarly, for steel, the nonlinear material data form appears as show in Figure
5-9. The user can specify the parametric strain data, which includes the values
for the strain at the onset of hardening, ultimate strain capacity, and the final
slope of the stress-strain diagram.
Figure 5-9 Nonlinear Material Data form for steel
Step 5 - Determine Plastic Hinge Properties and Assignments
Plastic Hinge Options 5 - 9
Figure 5-10 Nonlinear Stress-Strain Plot for steel
5.5 Plastic Hinge Options
There are two ways that concrete column section properties can be defined for
use as such that hinges properties can be assigned to them during the Auto-
mated Seismic Design procedure. One method is to use the Section Designer
and the other is to define a rectangle or circle using the Define menu >Section
Property > Frame Section > Add New Property command and define a rec-
tangular or circular shape. Internally, SAP2000/Bridge will convert the rectan-
gular or circular shapes into Section Designer sections for the purposes of de-
termining the hinge and cracked section properties. The advantage of using the
Section Designer feature is that the user can choose to have the hinge defined
using fibers. This option is activated when the user activates the Design menu
> Fiber Layout command from within Section Designer and sets the Fiber
Application to Calculate Moment Curvature Using Fibers, as shown in the
following form.
SAP2000/Bridge Seismic Design
5 - 10 Plastic Hinge Options
Figure 5-11 Plastic Hing Fiber option
The fiber mesh also can be specified in this form. The mesh can be rectangular
or cylindrical depending on the shape of the column. Another advantage of us-
ing the Section Designer feature is that complex sections, similar to the one be-
low, can be handled.
Figure 5-12 Section Designer options
Displacement Capacities for SDC B and C 6 - 1
Step 6
Capacity Displacement Analysis
This step describes the automated procedure that SAP2000/Bridge uses to de-
termine the bridge seismic capacity displacements. The method used varies de-
pending on the Seismic Design Category (SDC) of a particular bridge. A flow-
chart that describes when an implicit or pushover analysis is used to determine
the capacity displacements is shown in Figure 6-1:
Figure 6-1 Rectangular Beam Design
SAP2000/Bridge Seismic Design
6 - 2 Displacement Capacities for SDC B and C
Figure 6-2 Design Requirements for SDC
A B C D
Identification ERS Recommended Required Required
Demand Analysis Required Required Required
Implicit Capacity Required Required Required
Push Over Capacity May be required
Support Width Required Required Required Required
Detailing Ductility SDC B SDB C SDB D
Capacity Protection Recommended Required Required
Liquefaction Recommended Required Required
The user can overwrite the program determined SDC to enforce that a push-
over analysis is used to determine the displacement capacity. The differences
between the implicit and pushover approaches are described in the following
sections.
6.1 Displacement Capacities for SDC B and C
For structures having reinforced concrete columns, the displacement capacities
for SDC B and C are found using the following equations. The AASHTO
Seismic Guide Specification equations are also noted.
For SDC B:
0.12 1.27ln( ) 0.32 0.12
L
C o o
H x H (4.8.1-1)
For SDC C:
0.12 2.32ln( ) 1.22 0.12
L
C o o
H x H (4.8.1-2)
in which
o
o
B
x
H
(4.8.1-3)
where,
Step 6 - Capacity Displacement Analysis
Displacement Capacities for SDC D 6 - 3
H
o
= Clear height of the column (ft)
B
0
= Column diameter or width parallel to the direction of displace-
ment under consideration (ft)
= Factor for the column end restraint conditions
6.2 Displacement Capacities for SDC D
When the Seismic Design Category for a bridge structure is determined to be
SDC D or the user overwrites the SDC as D, SAP2000/Bridge uses a pushover
analysis in accordance with the AASHTO Seismic Guide Specification, Sec-
tion 4.8.2 to determine the displacement capacities. This requires that
SAP2000/Bridge actually perform several pushover analyses, depending on the
number of bents that are part of the Earthquake Resisting System (ERS). Each
bent is analyzed in a transverse and longitudinal direction local to the specific
bent. For the example bridge used in this manual, there are three spans with
two interior bents. Bents can be used as abutment supports so it is possible to
have additional bents participating as part of the ERS. But, for the example
bridge, there are two interior bents. This means that a total of four pushover
analyses is needed to determine the displacements capacities for each bent in
each of the transverse and longitudinal directions.
To perform multiple pushover analyses on a single bridge model, SAP2000/
Bridge uses several nonlinear single-staged construction load cases. A license
for the Staged Construction Module is not required to run the Bridge Seismic
Design because SAP2000 allows for single-staged construction load cases to
be run with any license. If, however, the user wants to create multi-staged con-
struction load cases, an additional license will be required.
For the example bridge, the four separate pushover load cases are named as fol-
lows:
_PO_TR_BT1_SDReq1
_PO_LG_BT1_SDReq1
_PO_TR_BT2_SDReq1
_PO_LG_BT2_SDReq1
SAP2000/Bridge Seismic Design
6 - 4 Displacement Capacities for SDC D
The SDReq1 is the name provided by the user to identify a particular seismic
design request.
TR denotes Transverse and LG denotes Longitudinal.
The _ symbol is added to the beginning of each auto load case name to dis-
tinguish the load cases that are automatically provided by SAP2000/Bridge
from user defined load cases.
Figure 6-3 shows the nonlinear single-staged construction load case for the
BENT1 transverse direction.
Figure 6-3 BENT1 Transverse Pushover Load Case
The user can not modify this load case because it is defined automatically. The
_PO_TR_BT1_SDReq1 load case starts from the end of the initial nonlinear
load case named, _ bGRAV_SDReq1.
Step 6 - Capacity Displacement Analysis
Displacement Capacities for SDC D 6 - 5
The _ bGRAV_SDReq1 load case is shown in Figure 6-4 and is needed to iso-
late the bents from the rest of the bridge model and to apply the cracked section
property modifiers as well as apply the dead load.
Figure 6-4 BENT1 Application of Property Modifiers
and Dead Loads to BENT1
The load pattern used to apply the lateral pushover loads or displacements to
BENT1 is named, _PO_TR1_SDReq1. A 3D view of the _PO_TR1_SDReq
loads is shown in Figure 6-5. The magnitudes of these loads are based on the
reactions from the superstructure.
SAP2000/Bridge Seismic Design
6 - 6 Pushover Results
Figure 6-5 BENT1 Pushover Load Pattern for the Transverse Direction
6.3 Pushover Results
After the pushover analyses have run, the capacity displacements are automati-
cally identified as the maximum displacement of the pushover curve just before
strength loss (negative slope on the pushover curve) for each of the pushover
runs.
Step 6 - Capacity Displacement Analysis
Pushover Results 6 - 7
The pushover results can be viewed using the Display menu > Pushover Re-
sults command. An example output is shown in Figure 6-6 for the BENT1
transverse and longitudinal pushover load cases.
Figure 6-6 Display of BENT1 Pushover Curves
D/C Ratios 7 - 1
Step 7
Demand/Capacity Ratios
7.1 D/C Ratios
After the demand displacement (Step 4) and displacement capacity (Step 6)
analyses have been completed, SAP2000/Bridge computes the ratio of the De-
mand/Capacity displacements and reports these values in the Seismic Design
Report. The table of D/C ratios can be viewed using the Display menu > Show
Tables command, and then selecting Design Data > Bridge > Seismic Design
data > Table: Bridge Seismic 01-Bent D-C-AASHTO LRFD 2007. The sub-
ject table will appear similar to the table shown in Figure 7-1:
Figure 7-1 D/C Displacement Ratios
SAP2000/Bridge Seismic Design
7 - 2 D/C Ratios
In the table shown, all four D/C ratios are reported, namely, the transverse and
longitudinal direction for each bent (the example model has two bents). Note
that the Generalized Displacement name also is reported. Generalized dis-
placements are used to average the top of bent displacements and to determine
the relative displacements between the bent cap beam and the foundation. The
generalized displacement definition is automatically defined by SAP2000/
Bridge and can be viewed using the Define menu > Generalized Displace-
ments command.
Design 01 D-C Ratios 8 - 1
Step 8
Review Output and Create Report
This step describes the two methods of viewing the seismic design results. The
first way to review the results is to use the Display menu > Show Tables com-
mand. The second way is to create a report using the Design menu > Bridge De-
sign > Create Report command.
The entire list of output tables for the Bridge Seismic Design includes the follow-
ing:
The seven Bridge Seismic Design tables are described in the sections that follow:
SAP2000/Bridge Seismic Design
8 - 2 Design 01 D-C Ratios
8.1 Design 01 D-C Ratios
The Demand/Capacity ratios are summarized for each bent in each direction.
Values less than 1.0 indicate that an adequate capacity exists for a given bent and
direction for the ground motion hazard used in the seismic design request. Values
greater than 1.0 indicate an overstress condition.
8.2 Design 02 Bent Column Force Demand
A summary of the bent column seismic demand forces are tabulated.
8.3 Design 03 Bent Column Idealized Moment Capacity
The idealized column plastic moments are calculated and tabulated. The axial
load P represents the demand axial load. The idealized plastics moments are de-
termined using the associated axial load value, P.
Step 8 - Review Output and Create Report
Design 04 Bent Column Cracked Section Properties 8 - 3
8.4 Design 04 Bent Column Cracked Section Properties
A summary of the cracked property modifiers that get applied to each of the bent
columns is tabulated.
8.5 Design 05 Support Bearing Demand Forces
The forces in the bearing due to the seismic loads are presented in the table
above. All bearings at the abutments and bents that are found to resist seismic
forces are included in the subject table.
SAP2000/Bridge Seismic Design
8 - 4 Design 06 Support Bearing Demand Displacements
8.6 Design 06 Support Bearing Demand Displacements
The displacements for all bearings at the abutments and bents that resist seismic
loads are tabulated and reported.
8.7 Design 07 Support Length Demands
The support lengths are calculated from the bearing displacements and represent
the amount of displacement normal to a specific bent or abutment.
Step 8 - Review Output and Create Report
Create Report 8 - 5
8.8 Create Report
A single command can be used to create a report using the Design menu >
Bridge Design > Create Seismic Design Report command. Several representa-
tive pages of the report that can be created using the previously noted report re-
quest are included in the following pages. Theses have been excerpted from a 30
page summary report that SAP2000/Bridge writes as a Microsoft Word docu-
ment.
SAP2000/Bridge Seismic Design
8 - 6 Create Report
Step 8 - Review Output and Create Report
Create Report 8 - 7
SAP2000/Bridge Seismic Design
8 - 8 Create Report
R - 1
References
ACI, 2008. Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete (ACI 318-08)
and Commentary (ACI 318R-08), American Concrete Institute, P.O.
Box 9094, Farmington Hills, Michigan.
AASHTO, 2009. AASHTO Guide Specifications for LRFD Seismic Bridge
Design. American Association of Highway and Transportation Offi-
cials, 444 North Capital Street, NW Suite 249, Washington, DC 2001