Influence of Strain Localization on Reliability Based Design of Bridge Abutments using Pseudo-Dynamic Method

摘要

The paper focuses on reliability based design of bridge abutments when subjected toearthquake loading. Planar failure surface has been used in conjunction with pseudodynamicapproach to compute the seismic active earth pressures on the bridgeabutment. The proposed pseudo dynamic method, considers the effects of strainlocalization in the backfill soil and associated post-peak reduction in the shearresistance from peak to residual values along a previously formed failure plane, phasedifference in shear waves and soil amplification along with the horizontal seismicaccelerations. Four modes of stability viz. sliding, overturning, eccentricity andbearing capacity of the foundation soil are considered for the reliability analysis. Theinfluence of various design parameters on the seismic reliability indices against fourmodes of failure is presented, following the suggestions of Japan Road Association,Caltrans Bridge Design Specifications and U.S Department of the Army.