Bridge Seismic Design

Bridge Seismic Design
CSiBridge®
Bridge Seismic Design

Automated Seismic Design of Bridges
AASHTO Guide Specification for
LRFD Seismic Bridge Design
ISO BRG113017M15 Rev. 0

Proudly developed in the United States of America November 2017
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Contents
Foreword
Step 1 Create the Bridge Model
1.1 Example Model 1-1
1.2 Description of the Example Bridge 1-2
1.3 Bridge Layout Line 1-4
1.4 Frame Section Property Definitions 1-4
1.4.1 Bent Cap Beam 1-4

1.4.2 Bent Column Properties 1-5
1.4.3 I-Girders Properties 1-6
1.4.4 Pile Properties 1-7
1.5 Bridge Deck Section 1-8
1.6 Bent Data 1-8
1.7 Bridge Object Definition 1-11
1.7.1 Abutment Property Assignments 1-12

1.7.2 Abutment Geometry 1-15
1.7.3 Bent Property Assignments 1-15
i
CSiBridge Seismic Design
1.7.4 Bent Geometry 1-17
1.8 Equivalent Pile Formulation 1-17
1.9 Bent Foundation Modeling 1-18
1.10 Mass Source 1-19
Step 2 Ground Motion Hazard and Seismic Design Request
2.1 Overview 2-1
2.2 AASHTO and USGS Hazard Maps 2-1
2.3 Seismic Design Preference 2-3
2.4 Seismic Design Request 2-4
2.5 Perform Seismic Design 2-8
2.6 Auto Load Patterns 2-9
2.7 Auto Load Cases 2-10
Step 3 Dead Load Analysis and Cracked Section Properties
Step 4 Response Spectrum and Demand Displacements
4.1 Overview 4-1
4.2 Response Spectrum Load Cases 4-1
4.3 Response Spectrum Results 4-5
Step 5 Determine Plastic Hinge Properties and Assignments
5.1 Overview 5-1
5.2 Plastic Hinge Lengths 5-1
5.3 Nonlinear Hinge Properties 5-4
5.4 Nonlinear Material Property Definitions 5-7
ii
Contents
5.4.1 Nonlinear Material Properties Definitions for

Concrete 5-7
5.4.2 Nonlinear Material Properties Definitions for
Steel 5-9
5.5 Plastic Hinge Options 5-10
Step 6 Capacity Displacement Analyses
6.1 Displacement Capacities for SDC B and C 6-2
6.2 Displacement Capacities for SDC D 6-3
6.3 Pushover Results 6-7
Step 7 Demand/Capacity Ratios
Step 8 Review Output and Create Report
8.1 Design 01 – D/C Ratios 8-2
8.2 Design 02 – Bent Column Force Demand 8-2
8.3 Design 03 – Bent Column Idealized Moment

Capacity 8-2
8.4 Design 04 – Bent Column Cracked Section

Properties 8-3
8.5 Design 05 – Support Bearing Demands – Forces 8-3
8.6 Design 06 – Support Bearing Demand –

Displacements 8-4
8.7 Design 07 – Support Length Demands 8-5
8.8 Create Report 8-5
Chapter 9 Caltrans Fault Crossing Seismic Bridge Design

9.1 Introduction 9-1
9.2 Fault Crossing Response Spectrum Loading 9-2
iii
9.3 Defining Fault Crossing Seismic Design Requests 9-5
9.4 Running Fault Crossing Seismic Design Requests 9-10

9.5 Creating a Seismic Design Report 9-11
9.6 Automatic Load Cases and Combinations 9-12
9.7 General Displacement Loading 9-14

9.7.1 Defining Load Patterns and Response Spectrum
Functions 9-15
9.7.2 Defining a Seismic Design Request 9-17
References
iv
Foreword
Over the past thirty-five years, Computer and Structures, Inc, has introduced
new and innovative ways to model complex structures. CSiBridge, the latest
innovation, is the ultimate integrated tool for modeling, analysis, and design of
bridge structures. The ease with which all of these tasks can be accomplished
makes CSiBridge the most versatile and productive bridge design package in
the industry.
Automated seismic design, one of CSiBridge’s many features, incorporates the

recently adopted AASHTO Guide Specification for LRFD Seismic Bridge
Design 2nd Edition, 2011. The 2011 implementation in CSiBridge also satisfies
the 2012 and 2014 interim revisions, which do not contain any changes that af-
fect the program. CSiBridge allows engineers to define specific seismic design
parameters that are then applied to the bridge model during an automated cycle
of analysis through design.
Now, users can automate the response spectrum and pushover analyses. Fur-
thermore, the CSiBridge program will determine the demand and capacity dis-
placements and report the demand/capacity ratios for the Earthquake Resisting
System (ERS). All of this is accomplished in eight simple steps outlined as fol-
lows:
1. Create the Bridge Model
2. Evaluate the Ground Motion Hazard and the Seismic Design Request
vii
3. Complete the Dead Load Analysis and evaluate the Cracked Section Prop-
erties
4. Identify Response Spectrum and Demand Displacements
5. Determine Plastic Hinge Properties and Assignments
6. Complete Capacity Displacement Analysis
7. Evaluate Demand/Capacity Ratios
8. Review Output and Create Report
A detailed explanation of each of the steps is presented in the chapters that fol-
low. The example bridge model shown in the figure illustrates the CSiBridge
Automated Seismic Design features.
Schematic of the Eight Steps in the

Automated Seismic Design of Bridges using CSiBridge
viii Foreword
Foreword
In addition to AASHTO Bridge Seismic Design, CSiBridge provides the capa-

bility to perform Caltrans Fault-Crossing Seismic Bridge Design. This new
seismic design procedure considers the more severe case where the rupture of a
seismic fault that crosses a bridge structure causes significantly different
ground displacements for the supports on either side of the fault. Most of the
concepts that apply to AASHTO Bridge Seismic Design also apply to the Cal-
trans Fault-Rupture case, with some new techniques introduced for this special
purpose. The details are provided in the last chapter of this manual.
Foreword vii
STEP 1
Create the Bridge Model
1.1 Example Model

This chapter describes the first step in the process required to complete a Seis-
mic Design Request for a bridge structure using CSiBridge. It is assumed the
user is familiar with the requirements in the program related to creating a
Linked Bridge Object. Only select features of the model development are in-
cluded in this chapter. The CSiBridge model used throughout this manual is
available and includes all of the input parameters.
Figure 1-1 3D View of Example Model
Example Model 1-1

As described in the AASHTO Guide Specifications for LRFD Seismic Bridge

Design, the seismic design strategy for this bridge is Type 1 – Design; a ductile
substructure with an essentially elastic superstructure. This implies that the de-
sign must include plastic hinging in the columns.
1.2 Description of the Example Bridge

The example bridge is a three-span concrete I-girder bridge with the following
features:
Piles: 14-inch-diameter steel pipe pile filled with concrete. The concrete is re-
inforced with six #5 vertical bars with three #4 spirals having a 3-inch pitch.
Pile Cap: The bent columns are connected monolithically to a concrete pile cap
that is supported by nine piles each. The pile caps are 13’-0” x 13’-0” x 4’-0”
Bents: There are two interior bents with three 36-inch-diameter columns.
Deck: The deck consists of five 3’-3”-deep precast I-girders that support an
8½-inch-thick deck and a wearing surface (35 psf). The deck width is 35'-10"
from the edge-of-deck to edge-of-deck.
Spans: Three spans of approximately 60’-0”.
The abutments are assumed to be free in both the longitudinal and transverse
directions.
Figure 1-2 Example Bridge Elevation
1-2 Description of the Example Bridge

STEP 1 - Create the Bridge Model
Figure 1-3 Example Bridge Plan
Figure 1-4 Example Bridge BENT1 Elevation
Description of the Example Bridge 1-3

1.3 Bridge Layout Line

The example model has three spans of approximately 60 feet each. The layout
line is defined using the Layout > Layout Line > New command and the
Bridge Layout Line Data form shown in Figure 1-5. The layout line is straight,
with no variation in elevation. The actual length of the layout line is 178.42 ft.
Figure 1-5 3D Bridge Layout Line Data
1.4 Frame Section Property Definitions

Four frame section properties must be described by the user to develop the ex-
ample model. The four types of frame elements used in the example model
consist of a pile, bent cap beam, bent column, and precast concrete I-girder.
The section property definition for each of the elements is given in the subsec-
tions that follow.
1.4.1 Bent Cap Beam

The bent cap beams were defined using the Components > Type > Frame
Properties > Expand arrow command. The Add New Property button >
1-4 Bridge Layout Line

Frame Section Property Type: Concrete > Rectangular was used to add the fol-
lowing concrete rectangle:
Figure 1-6 3D Cap Beam Section Property Definition
The material property used was 4000 psi. Note that the units shown in Figure
1-6 are in inches. (To check this, hold down the Shift key and double click in
the Depth or Width edit box. This will display the CSiBridge Calculator.)
1.4.2 Bent Column Properties

The bent columns were defined using the Section Designer option that can be
accessed using the Components > Type > Frame Properties > New > Other
> Section Designer command. The size and quantity of both the vertical and
confinement reinforcing steel were defined using the form shown in Figure 1-7.
Further discussion of the column section properties as they pertain to the plas-
tic hinge definitions is provided in Step 5.
Frame Section Property Definitions 1-5

Figure 1-7 Bent Column Property Definition
1.4.3 I-Girder Properties

The I-girder properties were
input using inch units, as
shown in Figure 1-8. (Again,
check this by holding down
the Shift key and double
clicking in a dimension edit
box to display the CSiBridge
Calculator.)
Figure 1-8 Precast I-Girder

Properties
1-6 Frame Section Property Definitions

1.4.4 Pile Properties

The piles were defined as 14–inch-diameter concrete piles with six #9 vertical
bars (Components > Type > Frame Properties > New > Concrete > Circu-
lar command). The outer steel casings of the pile were found to increase in the
flexural stiffness of the piles by a factor of 2.353. This value was applied as a
property modifier to the pile section property. The pile will be added to the
bridge model as “Equivalent Cantilever” piles, as shown in Figure 1-9 and as
described in subsequent Section 1.8. Using this method, the pile is replaced by
a beam that has equivalent stiffness properties to that of the pile with the sur-
rounding soil.
Figure 1-9 Pile Properties
Frame Section Property Definitions 1-7

1.5 Bridge Deck Section

The bridge deck section is 38.833 feet wide with a total of five
I-girders, as shown in Figure 1-10 (Components > Superstructure Type >
Deck Section > New command). The parapets as well as the wearing surface
are not part of the bridge deck structural definition but will be added to the
bridge model as superimposed dead loads (SDEAD).
Figure 1-10 Bridge Deck Section Properties
1.6 Bent Data

The bents for the subject model have three columns, each with a cap beam
width of 38.25 feet. The Bridge Bent data form shown in Figure 1-11, which is
accessed using the Components > Substructure Item > Bents > New com-
mand, is used to input the number of columns and the cap beam width. Since
multiple columns are specified, the location, height and support condition for
each column needs to be specified using the Bent Column Data form.
1-8 Bridge Deck Section

Figure 1-11 Bridge Bent Data
After the Modify/Show Column Data button is used, the Bent Column Data
form shown in Figure 1-12 can be used to define the type, location, height, an-
gle and boundary conditions as well as the seismic hinge data for each bent
column.
Figure 1-12 Bent Column Data
For the seismic hinge data, RH Long and RH Trans are the relative clear
heights (from -1.0 to 2.0) from the base of the column to the point of contra-
Bent Data 1-9

flexure under horizontal loading at the top of the bent, used to determine the
hinge lengths and positions for bridge seismic design. RH Long is for longitu-
dinal loading (normal to the plane of the bent), and RH Trans is for transverse
loading (in the plane of the bent). Only concrete columns are affected. Steel
columns are not affected and use their own calculation. For each physical bent
column, the reference hinge property to be used at the top and bottom of the
column can be "Auto", "Auto Fiber", "None", and a list of user-defined hinge
properties. The reference hinge properties will only be used when the Concrete
or Steel Hinge Type is set to Auto: From Bent in the Bridge Seismic Design
Preference form, which is accessed using the Design/Rating > Seismic Design
> Preferences command. Under the case that the Hinge Type is Auto: From
Bent, if the reference hinge property is set to Auto, then the program will gen-
erate AASHTO/Caltrans hinges for concrete columns and FEMA 356 hinges
for steel columns; if the reference hinge property is set to user-defined hinge
property, then for the force-controlled type hinges, or the deformation con-
trolled type hinges with moment-rotation or force-displacement nonlinear
property types,
An important part of this example model is the inclusion of the foundation el-
ements. Although the foundations can be represented as Fixed, Pinned, or
Spring-Support restraints at the base of the columns, these have been explicitly
modeled in this example. It is important to note that when foundation objects
are part of the bridge model, the base of the bent column must not be re-
strained, but instead, connected to the foundation elements. Restraining the
base of the columns in the Bent Column Data form using Fixed or Pinned re-
straints would prevent the bridge loads from reaching the foundation. In this
example, a foundation spring (BFSP1) having no stiffness in any direction is
used as the Base Support data. After the foundations have been modeled and
connected to the bent column bases, support of the bent columns will be
achieved. The Foundation Spring Data form is shown in Figure 1-13. Access
this form by clicking the Foundation Spring Properties button on the Bridge
Bent Column Data form and then the Add New Foundation Spring button on
the Define Bridge Foundation Springs form, or by using the Components >
Substructure Item > Foundation Springs > New command.
1 - 10 Bent Data
Figure 1-13 Bent Column Base Restraint Definitions
1.7 Bridge Object Definition

The Bridge Object Data form (click the Bridge > Bridge Object > New com-
mand) is used to define the complete bridge object, including the superstructure
and substructure. See Figure 1-14.
The seismic response of the bridge model will depend on the Earthquake Re-
sisting System (ERS). The user can define the types of support conditions at
the abutments and bents. The ERS will depend on the types of supports used at
the abutments and bents and the bearing properties that are used for each. If a
bearing has a restrained DOF, it will provide a load path that will act as part of
the bridge ERS. Abutments can be defined using bents as supports (this feature
was not used in the subject example).
Bridge Object Definition 1 - 11

Figure 1-14 Bridge Object Data form
The span data is used to define the span lengths and bent locations. Cross dia-
phragms also can be included in a bridge model using the Modify/Show As-
signments > In Span Cross Diaphragms command and Modify/Show button.
No cross diaphragms were used as part of the example model.
1.7.1 Abutment Property Assignments

Both the start and end abutment assignments are specified using the Bridge Ob-
ject Abutment Assignments form shown in Figure 1-15 (Bridge > Bridge Ob-
ject > Supports > Abutments). The abutment bearing direction can be as-
signed a bearing angle if skewed abutments are needed. Diaphragms can be
added to the abutment as well.
Abutments are modeled using an “Abutment Property”, which can be defined
using the command Components > Substructure Item > Abutments > New.
This can also be accessed by clicking the “+” button next to the Abutment
Property option in the Substructure Assignment area of the Bridge Object
Abutment Assignments form. This brings up the Abutment Data form as shown
1 - 12 Bridge Object Definition

in Figure 1-16. Note that a default abutment property is always created when-
ever the first bridge object is defined, and that is what is used for this example.
Figure 1-15 Abutment Assignments
Figure 1-16 Abutment Data
Abutments can alternatively be modeled using bents by selecting “Bent Proper-

ty” in the Substructure Assignment area of the Bridge Object Abutment As-
signment form. After that selection has been, an option is available to select the
appropriate property definition from a list of previously defined bent proper-
ties, or to add a new one by clicking the “+” button.

The substructure location data is critical because CSiBridge accounts for the
superstructure/substructure kinematics. The ends of the bridge deck will have a
tendency to rotate due to gravity loading. If the abutment bearings are re-
strained against translation at both ends of a bridge, outward reactions on the
bearings and deck moments can be induced as a result of these restraints. The
amount of outward thrust and the moment in the deck are a function of the
amount of rotation and distance from the deck neutral axis to the top of abut-
ment bearings. Therefore, the user should pay special attention to the substruc-
ture and bearing elevations as well as the bearing restraint properties. The user
also must keep in mind that the seismic resisting load path is dependent on the
restraint properties of the bearing at both abutments and bents.
For this example, only the vertical translation of the abutment bearings was set
to Fixed. All other abutment bearing components were set to Free since the
abutment restraint was assumed to be free in the longitudinal and transverse di-
rections. See Figure 1-17 (display this form by clicking the “+” plus beside the
Bearing Property drop-down list on the Bridge Object Abutment Assignments
form and the Add New Bridge Bearing or Modify/Show Bridge Bearing but-
ton on the Define Bridge Bearings form).
Figure 1-17 Abutment Bearing Properties

To help visualize the abutment geometry, the graphic shown in Figure 1-18 in-
cludes the values in the example model to define the location of the abutment
bearings and substructure. It should also be noted that the CSiBridge program
automatically includes the BFXSS Rigid Link when the bridge object is updat-
ed.

1.7.2 Abutment Geometry

Figure 1-18 also shows the location of the BBRG1 action point. This is the lo-
cation where the bearing will translate or rotate depending on the bearing defi-
nitions.
Figure 1-18 Abutment Bearing Geometry
1.7.3 Bent Property Assignments

The bent property assignments are made using the Bridge Object Bent As-
signment form, shown in Figure 1-19 (Bridge > Bridge Object > Supports >
Bents command). Similar to the abutment property assignments, the bent prop-
erty assignments will include the bent directions, bearing properties, and sub-
structure locations.

Figure 1-19 Bent Assignments form
For this example model, the bearing properties at the bents have fixed transla-
tion restraints in all directions but free restraints for all rotational directions.
See Figure 1-20 (click the “+” plus beside the Bearing Property drop-down list;
click the Modify/Show Bridge Bearing button on the Define Bridge Bearings
form).
Figure 1-20 Bent Bearing Data

1.7.4 Bent Geometry

The bent geometry is shown in Figure 1-21 for the input values used to define
the bearing and substructure elevations from the Bridge Object Bent Assign-
ment form (Figure 1-19).
Figure 1-21 Bent Support Geometry
Note that the BBRG2 connects to the center of the cap beam. The substructure
elevation is used to define the top of the cap beam. The action point of BBRG2
is at Elevation -49.0”.
1.8 Equivalent Pile Formulation

Although it is not required to include explicit foundation elements (foundations
can be modeled as fixed, pinned or partially fixed restraints at the base of the
columns), these were included as part of the example model. Foundations can
be modeled in many ways. Equivalent length piles were used with an equiva-
lent length of 5.1 feet to model the pile surrounded by soil, as described in Sec-
tion 1.4.4. The equivalent lengths were established using the equations shown
in Figure 1-22.
Equivalent Pile Formulation 1 - 17

Figure 1-22 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 1-23, which is shown using a
3D extruded view.
Figure 1-23 View of Bent Foundations
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 1-24. This method of connecting the column base to the
foundation preserves connectivity even when updating the linked bridge model.
1 - 18 Bent Foundation Modeling

Column-to-Foundation Connection
Figure 1-24 Bent Column Base Connectivity
1.10 Mass Source

The Mass Source definition is used to define the mass to be included in the
modal and response spectrum load cases. Mass and weight are treated separate-
ly in CSiBridge: mass is used for inertia in dynamic analysis, and weight is
used for gravity loads.
By default, mass comes from the material mass density and any additional
mass assigned to joints, line objects, and area objects. However, you can use
the Mass Source command to specify that mass is to be computed from load
patterns, either in addition to or instead of the default mass.
Multiple Mass Sources definitions can be created for advanced dynamic analy-
sis. This is rarely necessary. For this example, a single Mass Source is defined
that uses the default mass plus mass from load patterns.
The command Advanced > Define > Mass Source opens the Mass Source
form in shown Figure 1-25. Here the default mass source already defined can
be seen. Clicking the Modify/Show button opens the Mass Source Definition
form shown in Figure 1-26.
Mass Source 1 - 19
Figure 1-25 Mass Source
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 superimposed type with the name SDEAD (Loads >
Load Patterns).
This default mass that comes from the mass density of the materials is indicat-
ed by the option “Element Self Mass and Additional Mass”, which is checked
by default. Checking the additional option “Specified Load Patterns” allows
adding a linear combination of load patterns from which mass is to be comput-
ed. In this example the load pattern SDEAD is used with a scale factor of one.
Figure 1-26 Mass Source Definition
Note that adding load pattern DEAD would double-count the Element Self
Mass.
1 - 20 Mass Source
STEP 2
Ground Motion Hazard and Seismic Design Request
2.1 Overview
The ground motion hazard (response spectrum) can be determined by
CSiBridge by defining the bridge location using the latitude and longitude 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 considered 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,
CSiBridge creates the appropriate response spectra curve as follows:
Overview 2-1
Figure 2-1 AASHTO/USGS Hazard Maps used to determine the Demand Response Spectrum
Figure 2-2 Response Spectrum Function Data form
2-2 AASHTO and USGS Hazard Maps

STEP 2 - Ground Motion Hazard and Seismic Design Request
From the Response Spectrum Data form (Loads > Functions > Type > Re-
sponse Spectrum > New > NCHRP 20-07), the values for SDS and SD1 are de-
termined by CSiBridge and reported. The SD1 value is used to determine the
Seismic 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,
CSiBridge uses an implicit formula (see Section 4.8 of the AASHTO Seismic
Guide Specification). If the SDC is D, CSiBridge uses a nonlinear pushover
analysis to determine the capacity displacements.
2.3 Seismic Design Preferences
Figure 2-3 Bridge Seismic Design Preferences form
The Design/Rating > Seismic Design > Preferences command accesses a form
that can be used to specify the design code, concrete hinge type, steel hinge
type and the hinge length option for all Seismic Design Requests. There are
four choices for the hinge type: Auto: AASHTO/Caltrans Hinge for concrete
and FEMA 356 hinge for steel, Auto: Fiber Hinge, Auto: From Bent and User-
assigned. The following hinge length options are provided: Use Longitudinal
Hinge Length, Use Transverse Hinge Length, Use Shortest Hinge Length (DE-
FAULT), Use Longest Hinge Length, and Use Average Hinge Length. The
longitudinal and transverse hinge lengths are calculated based on the Seismic
Seismic Design Preferences 2-3

Hinge Data specified in the Bridge Bent Column Data Form introduced in the
Section 1.6.
2.4 Seismic Design Request
Figure 2-4 Bridge Design Request form
The Design/Rating > Seismic Design > Design Request > Add New Request
command accesses a form that can be used to specify the name, check type,
loading and design request parameters for a Seismic Design Request. There are
two check types available: AASHTO Seismic Design and Caltrans Fault Cross-
ing. For the loading, the pre-defined response spectrum function (see Section
2.2) to be used for a specific Seismic Design Request should be selected for the
horizontal and/or vertical direction. “None” should be selected if no response
spectrum is to be included in either direction in the seismic design request. The
form is shown in Figure 2-4.
For this example, which is of AASHTO Seismic Design, clicking the Modi-
fy/Show button will display the Substructure Seismic Design Request Parame-
ters form, shown in Figure 2-5. A brief description of the parameters on that
form follows.
2-4 Seismic Design Request

Figure 2-5 Seismic Design Parameters form
Item Substructure Seismic Design Request Parameter
1 Seismic Design The user can choose to have the SDC be selected by the program
Category (i.e., “Programmed Determined”), or the user can impose a value
(SDC) Option for the SDC (i.e., “User Defined”). To impose a value, select it from
Item 4, the Seismic Design Category.
2 Seismic Design If the user has opted to specify the Seismic Design Category in
Category Item 3, the user must specify the Seismic Design Category here as
B, C or D.
3 Bent Dis- This is a scale factor. The bent displacement demands obtained
placement from the response-spectrum analysis are multiplied by this factor. It
Demand Factor 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 longi-
tudinal and transverse directions.
Seismic Design Request 2-5

4 Gravity Load The user can specify which gravity load case is used to determine
Case Option the cracked section properties for the bent columns. The choices
include Auto-Entire Structure, Auto This Bridge Object, or User
Defined. As a default, all Dead and Super Dead loads are included
in the Auto-Entire Structure gravity load case.
5 Gravity Load If the User Option is selected for Item 6 Gravity Load Case Option,
Case the gravity load case name must be selected here.
6 Additional If the Auto-This Bridge Object option is selected for Item 6 Gravity
Group Load Case Option, an additional group can be included in the
gravity load case. This item is required only when the gravity load
case is program determined. It may include pile foundations and
other auxiliary structures.
7 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 pusho-
ver curve results if an idealized bilinear hinge has been assigned to
the bent columns. It is recommended that an initial Seismic Design
Request be performed before including the P-Delta effects to help
the user understand the nonlinear behavior of the bents.
8 Cracked The cracked section properties for the bent columns can be auto-
Property matically determined by the program or they can be user defined.
Option If program determined, the automatic gravity load case will be run
iteratively. Section Designer will use the calculated axial force at
the top and bottom on the column to determine the cracked mo-
ments of inertia in the positive and negative transverse and longi-
tudinal directions. The average 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.
9 Convergence This value sets the relative convergence tolerance for the bent-
Tolerance column cracked-property iteration. This item is required only when
the cracked-property calculation is program determined.
10 Maximum This value sets the maximum number of iterations allowed for the
Number of bent-column cracked-property iteration. The first run is considered
Iterations to be the zero-th iteration. Usually only one iteration is needed.
This item is required only when the cracked-property calculation is
program determined.
11 Accept Specifies if the seismic design should or should not continue if the
Unconverged bent-column cracked-property iteration fails to converge. This item
Results is required only when the cracked-property calculation is program
determined.
12 Modal Load Specifies if the modal load case is to be determined by program or
Case Option specified by the user. The modal load case is used as the basis of
the response-spectrum load case that represents the seismic de-
sign. If program determined, the modal load case will use the stiff-
2-6 Seismic Design Request

ness 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 se-
lecting user defined for Item 15 Modal Load Case.
13 Modal Load The name of an existing modal load case to be used as the basis
Case of the response-spectrum load case. This item is required only if
Item 14 Modal Load Case Option is user-defined.
14 Type of Modes This is either Eigen or Ritz indicating the type of modes requested.
15 Additional The number of additional modes to consider beyond those auto-
Number Of matically determined. This can be zero (default), positive, or nega-
Modes tive. The default number of modes is determined based on the
number of bridge spans. The minimum number of modes is 12. For
a bridge object with more than two spans, 6 modes are added for
each additional span.
16 Response Specifies if the response-spectrum load case is to be determined
Spectrum Load by program or specified by the user. The response-spectrum load
Case Option 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 combina-
tions.
17 Response The name of an existing response-spectrum load case that repre-
Spectrum Load sents the seismic demand. This item is required only if the re-
Case sponse-spectrum load case option is user-defined.
18 Response Specifies if the angle of loading in the response-spectrum load
Spectrum An- case is to be determined by program or specified by the user. If
gle Option program determined, the longitudinal (U1) loading direction is cho-
sen to be from the start abutment to the end abutment, both points
located on the reference line of the bridge object. This item is re-
quired only if the response-spectrum load case option is user-
defined.
19 Response Angle (degree, from global X) that defines the direction of the re-
Spectrum sponse spectrum load case. This item is required only if the re-
Angle sponse spectrum load case is user-defined.
20 Directional The type of directional combination for the response spectrum
Combination analysis
21 Directional For absolute directional combination this is the scale factor used for
Scale Factor the secondary directions when taking the absolute sum. This is
typically 0.3 if a 100/30 rule is to be applied. For CQC3 directional
combination, this is the scale factor applied to the response spec-
trum function in the second horizontal direction. This is typically
greater than 0.5. For the SRSS directional combination the direc-
Seismic Design Request 2-7

tional scale factor is normally 1.0.

22 Foundation If foundations are included and explicitly modeled, then the founda-
Group tion objects need to be assigned to a group and that group needs
to be identified here. This way the foundation objects will be includ-
ed in the pushover load case. This item is required only if the seis-
mic design category is D.
23 Pushover The target displacement is defined as the target ratio of Capacity/
Target Demand for the pushover analyses. This item is required only if the
Displacement seismic design category is D.
Ratio
24 Bent Failure The criteria to determine the bent failure. <Pushover Curve Drop>
Criterion means the bent fails when the pushover curve drops from its abso-
lute maximum to a value 1% less than that maximum. <First Hinge
At Limit State> means the capacity is determined as the displace-
ment when the first bent column hinge reaches the specified hinge
limit state. This item is required only if the seismic design category
is D.
25 Pushover When the Bent Failure Criterion is <Pushover Curve Drop>, this
Curve Drop item is for Pushover Curve Drop Tolerance, which is relative de-
Tolerance / crease in base shear from the maximum that determined the dis-
Hinge Limit placement capacity from the pushover curve. Bent Failure Criterion
State is <First Hinge At Limit State>, this item is for Hinge Limit State,
which is to determine hinge failure point. This can be B, C, D or E
specified in the material stress-strain curve. For a fiber hinge, each
individual fiber will be checked. This item is required only if the
seismic design category is D.
26 Transverse The pushover modeling type for the transverse direction of the
Pushover Type bents for the seismic design category D. The options are bents with
or without superstructure.
27 Longitudinal The pushover modeling type for the longitudinal direction of the
Pushover Type bents for the seismic design category D. The options are bents with
or without superstructure, and Full Bridge Along Chord.
2.5 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, use
the Design/Rating > Seismic Design > Run Seismic command. The Perform
Bridge Design form, which is shown in Figure 2-6, will be displayed. The De-
sign Now button will start the seismic design process.
2-8 Perform Seismic Design

Figure 2-6 Perform Seismic Design
It is noted that for a designed request, when clicking the button "Delete Design
for Request", a message box asking to remove all the program-generated items,
such as load cases, load patterns, group, generalized displacement will be
popped up. The “Yes” button will bring up another message box asking to re-
move all the program-generated hinges. The program-generated items can be
removed by clicking the button "Clean up Request" if they were kept when de-
leting the design results. Also if the same design request is selected to be de-
signed again when the model is locked, then a new set of the program-
generated items will be created and previous generated items will be kept;
when the model is unlocked, then the program will ask to remove the previous
program-generated items or to keep them.
2.6 Auto Load Patterns

After the Bridge Seismic Design has been run, the user can review the load pat-
tern and load cases that CSiBridge has automatically generated by accessing
the Define Load Patterns form show in Figure 2-7 (Loads > Load Patterns
command).
Auto Load Patterns 2-9

Figure 2-7 Auto Load Patterns
2.7 Auto Load Cases

The reason for each of the auto load cases is explained in Step 7.
Figure 2-8 Auto Load Cases
2 - 10 Auto Load Cases

Step 3
Dead Load Analysis and Cracked Section Properties
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. For concrete bent columns,
these results are used for the determination of the cracked section properties that
are then applied to the bent columns as frame section property modifiers. The re-
duced stiffnesses of the concrete bent columns will affect the response spectrum
and pushover analyses. The frame section property modifiers are defined sepa-
rately for each of the concrete bent and abutment columns as a named property
set. The user can use the Section Designer program to observe the moment-
curvatures and I,cracked properties for the various cross-sections (see also Step 5).
The calculation of the cracked section properties will be skipped for the steel
bent columns and thus no frame section property modifiers will be generated and
assigned to the steel bent columns.
Auto load patterns and auto load cases are produced by the program. The load
case, which has the default name, <SDReq1>, is automatically developed by
CSiBridge 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 <SDReq1>GRAV load case (Analysis > Load Cases >
Type > All > New > Highlight <SDReq1>GRAV > Modify/Show Load Case).
The auto load cases are not modifiable.
Dead Load Analysis and Cracked Section Properties 3-1

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.
3-2 Dead Load Analysis and Cracked Section Properties

Step 4
Response Spectrum and Demand Displacements
4.1 Overview
The seismic response of the entire bridge structure is analyzed by CSiBridge us-
ing the response spectrum function defined in Step 2. The number of modes used
by CSiBridge 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 additional number of Modes can
be added to the auto-generated modal load case as the item 15 in Figure 2-5. The
response spectrum displacements are used by CSiBridge as the displacement de-
mands as defined in Section 4.4 of the AASHTO Seismic Guide Specification.
4.2 Response Spectrum Load Cases

For the case that no response spectrum function is assigned to the vertical direc-
tion loading in the seismic design request form shown in Figure 2-4, three re-
sponse spectrum load cases are automatically produced by CSiBridge:
<SDReq1>RS_X, <SDReq1>RS_Y and <SDReq1>RS_XY. With a response
spectrum function assigned to the vertical direction loading, an additional re-
sponse spectrum load case <SDReq1>RS_Z is automatically produced and
<SDReq1>RS_XY will be <SDReq1>RS_XYZ. For the case of no vertical load-
ing, the first two response spectrum load cases apply the dynamic loads along the
U1 and U2 directions. The U1 direction is defined as the longitudinal loading di-
Overview 4-1
rection 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 spectrum load along a different axis, a directional overwrite is availa-
ble in the Substructure Seismic Design Request Parameters form (see Chapter 2).
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,
<SDReq1>RS_XY, envelopes the maximum response spectrum results for each
of the combinations 100/30 and 30/100. The Load Case Data form for the re-
sponse spectrum load case <SDReq1>RS_XY is shown in Figure 4-2.
4-2 Response Spectrum Load Cases

Step 4 - Response Spectrum and Demand Displacements
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 Request Parameters
form (Chapter 2).
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:
Response Spectrum Load Cases 4-3

Figure 4-3 BENT1 Displacements for the three

Auto-Defined Response Spectrum Load cases
Figure 4-4 Modal Load Case Definition
4-4 Response Spectrum Load Cases

Step 4 - Response Spectrum and Demand Displacements
4.3 Response Spectrum Results

Upon completion of the response spectra analysis, the displacements are tabulat-
ed for each bent. The displacements are calculated using “Generalized Displace-
ments” to account for the average cap beam displacements and the relative dis-
placement between the cap beam and foundation. The displacements for the ABS
response spectrum load case also are tabulated for each of the bearing active de-
grees of freedom. These can be viewed using the Home > Display > Show Ta-
bles command to display the Choose Tables for Display form. Select the Design
Results for Bridge Seismic, Support Bearing Demands-Deformations item. These
displacements also can be displayed and animated on screen or read from the
quick report created using the Design/Rating > Seismic Design > Report com-
mand.
Response Spectrum Results 4-5

Step 5
Determine Plastic Hinge Properties and Assignments
5.1 Overview
For bridge structures having a Seismic Design Category (SDC) D the AASH-
TO Seismic Guide Specification requires that the displacement capacity be de-
termined using a nonlinear pushover analysis. This requires that the column
plastic hinge lengths and plastic hinge properties be determined for each col-
umn 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 for the concrete bent columns used in the Seismic
Design Request is determined for the AASHTO Seismic Guide Specification,
Section 4.11.6, as follows:
For reinforced concrete columns framing into a footing, an integral bent cap,
and oversized shaft, cased shaft, the plastic hinge length, LP in inches, may be
determined as:
Overview 5-1
=
LP 0.08 L + 0.15 f ye dbl ,
where
L = length of column from point of maximum moment to the point of

moment contraflexure (in.),
f ye = the effective yield strength of the longitudinal reinforcing (ksi), and
dbl = the diameter of the longitudinal reinforcing (in.).
The hinge length is compared to the value for the minimum hinge length, de-
scribed as LP = 0.3 f ye dbl , and the larger value is used.
Note that, the L values for concrete columns are specified in the Bridge Bent
Column Data Form (Section 1.6). Here a relative height, RH, is specified from
the bottom of the column to the point of contraflexure, separately for longitu-
dinal and transverse bending. Legal values are −1 ≤ RH ≤ 2, where RH = 0 is
the bottom of the clear height of the column and RH = 1 is the top. For the bot-
tom hinge:
𝐿𝐿 = |RH|𝐻𝐻, subject to 𝐻𝐻⁄2 ≤ 𝐿𝐿 ≤ 𝐻𝐻
For the top hinge:
𝐿𝐿 = |RH − 1|𝐻𝐻 , subject to 𝐻𝐻⁄2 ≤ 𝐿𝐿 ≤ 𝐻𝐻
This can be summarized in the following table:
Below Column Clear Height Above

RH -1.00 -0.75 -0.50 0.00 0.25 0.50 0.75 1.00 1.50 1.75 2.00
Bottom Hinge
L/H 1.00 0.75 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.75 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
Top Hinge
L/H 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 0.75 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.75 1.00
5-2 Plastic Hinge Lengths

Step 5 - Determine Plastic Hinge Properties and Assignments
For the steel columns, based on the Section 4.11.8 in AASHTO Seismic Guide
Specification, the plastic hinge region is determined as the maximum of 1/8 of
the clear height of a steel column or 1.5 times the gross cross-sectional dimen-
sion in the direction of bending.
Calculated hinge lengths may be different for bending in the longitudinal or

transverse direction of the bents. However, each hinge can only have a single
hinge length in the model. Set the Hinge Length Option in the Bridge Seismic
Design Preferences Form as described in Section 2.3 to specify whether to use
the Longitudinal, Transverse, Longest, Shortest, or Average hinge length for a
given instance of the model. After performing a bridge seismic design with one
of these options, you can re-run the design with a different choice to see the ef-
fect.
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
Plastic Hinge Lengths 5-3

Figure 5-2 Hinge Locations
5.3 Nonlinear Hinge Properties

For a steel column, the CSiBridge Automated Seismic Design Request uses a
hinge property that is consistent with the FEMA 356. For a concrete column,
the Automated Seismic Design Request uses a hinge property that is consistent
with the AASHTO/CALTRANS idealized bilinear moment-curvature diagram,
as shown in Figure 5-3 (click the Display menu > Show Moment Curvature
Cure command on the Section Designer form). From the moment curvature
shown, the yield and plastic moments along with the I,cracked properties 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 lay-
outs on the frame member properties. The axial load values input on this form
are not used in the analysis and design of a model.
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 Au-
tomated Seismic Design procedure assigns coupled P-M-M hinges to the bent
columns. The default settings are shown in Figure 5-4 (select the frame(s) to be
assigned a hinge, click Advanced > Assign > Frames > Hinges, select Auto,
click the Modify/Show Auto Hinge Assignments Data button). The length of
the plastic hinge also is calculated by CSiBridge when using the Automated
Seismic Design procedure.
Nonlinear Hinge Properties 5-5

Figure 5-4 Auto Hinge Assignment Data
Figure 5-5 Sample Hinge Data form
5-6 Nonlinear Hinge Properties

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 as shown in
Figure 5-6 (Components > Type > Material Properties > Expand arrow >
check the Show Advanced Properties check box > Add New Material > set
Material Type to Concrete > Modify/Show Material Properties button >
Nonlinear Material Data button):
Figure 5-6 Nonlinear Material Data form for Concrete
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
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
Nonlinear Material Property Definitions 5-9

Figure 5-10 Nonlinear Stress-Strain Plot for steel
5.5 Plastic Hinge Options

Concrete column section properties can be defined for use in two ways such
that hinge properties can be assigned to them during the Automated Seismic
Design procedure. One method is to use the Section Designer and the other is
to define a rectangle or circle using the Components > Type > Frame Prop-
erties > New command and define a rectangular or circular shape. Internally,
CSiBridge will convert the rectangular or circular shapes into Section Designer
sections for the purposes of determining the hinge and cracked section proper-
ties. The advantage of using the Section Designer feature is that the user can
choose to have the hinge defined using fibers. This option is applied 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.
5 - 10 Plastic Hinge Options

Figure 5-11 Plastic Hinge 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
Plastic Hinge Options 5 - 11

Step 6
Capacity Displacement Analysis
This step describes the automated procedure that CSiBridge uses to determine
the bridge seismic capacity displacements. The method used varies depending
on the Seismic Design Category (SDC) of a particular bridge. A flowchart 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
Displacement Capacities for SDC B and C 6-1

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 Capac-    May be required

ity
Support Width Re- Required Required Required

quired
Detailing – Ductility  SDC B SDB C SDB D
Capacity Protec-  Recommended Required Required

tion
Liquefaction  Recommended Required Required
The user can overwrite the program determined SDC to enforce that a pushover
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 Seis-
mic Guide Specification equations are also noted.
For SDC B:
∆CL= 0.12 H o ( −1.27 ln( x) − 0.32 ) ≥ 0.12 H o (4.8.1-1)
For SDC C:
∆C=
L
0.12 H o ( −2.32ln( x) − 1.22 ) ≥ 0.12 H o (4.8.1-2)
in which
Λ Bo
x= (4.8.1-3)
Ho
6-2 Displacement Capacities for SDC B and C

Step 6 - Capacity Displacement Analysis
where,
Ho = Clear height of the column (ft)
B0 = Column diameter or width parallel to the direction of displace-

ment under consideration (ft)
Λ = Factor for the column end restraint conditions

CSiBridge uses the relative heights “RH Long” and “RH Trans” of Seismic
Hinge Data specified in Bent Column Data form, shown in Figure 1-12, to de-
termine the factor Λ :
RH ≤ 0 or RH ≥ 1: Λ = 1.0
0 < RH ≤ 0.5: Λ = 1 / (1 – RH)
0.5 < RH < 1.0: Λ = 1 / RH
For the bent columns that are not of Type 1 reinforced concrete, CSiBridge uses
the same equations to determine the capacity. In this case, users may overwrite
the SDC as D for a better solution, in which the capacity is determined based on
the pushover analysis results.
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, CSiBridge uses a pushover analysis
in accordance with the AASHTO Seismic Guide Specification, Section 4.8.2 to
determine the displacement capacities. This requires that CSiBridge actually per-
form 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 with or without superstruc-
ture. For the pushover case with superstructure, the subject bent keeps its support
bearings and all other support bearings are changed to rollers. For longitudinal
pushover option “Full Bridge Along Chord,” the bridge movement is restrained
along the chord direction and only one pushover load case is applied along the
bridge chord direction. 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
Displacement Capacities for SDC D 6-3

example bridge, there are two interior bents. This means that a total of four push-
over analyses are 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, CSiBridge uses

several nonlinear single-staged construction load cases.
For the example bridge, the four separate pushover load cases are named as fol-
lows:
<SDReq1>PO_TR1
<SDReq1>PO_LG1
<SDReq1>PO_TR2
<SDReq1>PO_LG2
The SDReq1 is the name provided by the user to identify a particular seismic
design request.
TR denotes Transverse and LG denotes Longitudinal.
The “<request name>” is added to the beginning of each auto load case name to
distinguish the load cases that are automatically provided by CSiBridge from
user defined load cases.
Figure 6-3 shows the nonlinear single-staged construction load case for the
BENT1 transverse direction.
6-4 Displacement Capacities for SDC D

Figure 6-3 BENT1 Transverse Pushover Load Case
The user can not modify this load case because it is defined automatically. The
<SDReq1>PO_TR1 load case starts from the end of the initial nonlinear load
case named, <SDReq1>bGRAV.
The <SDReq1>bGRAV load case is shown in Figure 6-4 and is needed to isolate
the bents from the rest of the bridge model and to apply the cracked section
property modifiers as well as apply the dead load.
Displacement Capacities for SDC D 6-5

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, <SDReq1>PO_TR1. A 3D view of the <SDReq1>PO_TR1
loads is shown in Figure 6-5. The magnitudes of these loads are based on the
reactions from the superstructure.
6-6 Displacement Capacities for SDC D

Figure 6-5 BENT1 Pushover Load Pattern for the Transverse Direction
6.3 Pushover Results

After the pushover analyses have run, for the bent failure criterion as “Pushover
Curve Drop,” the capacity displacements are automatically identified as the max-
imum displacement of the pushover curve just before strength loss (negative
slope on the pushover curve) for each of the pushover runs. For the bent failure
criterion as “First Hinge at Limit State,” the capacity displacements are automat-
ically determined as the displacement whenever the first hinge at the subject bent
reaches the specified limit state. For fiber hinges, failure is determined by the
Pushover Results 6-7

first fiber that reaches the specified limit state at the stress-strain curve of the
fiber.
The pushover results can be viewed using the Home > Display > More > Show
Static Pushover Curve command. An example output is shown in Figure 6-6
for the BENT1 transverse and longitudinal pushover load cases.
6-8 Pushover Results

Figure 6-6 Display of BENT1 Pushover Curves
Pushover Results 6-9

Step 7
Demand/Capacity Ratios
After the demand displacement (Step 4) and displacement capacity (Step 6)

analyses have been completed, CSiBridge 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 Home > Display >
Show Tables command, and then selecting Design Data > Bridge > Seismic
Design data > Table: Bridge Seismic Design 01 – Bent D-C. The subject ta-
ble will appear similar to the table shown in Figure 7-1:
Figure 7-1 D/C Displacment Ratios
In the table shown, all four D/C ratios are reported, namely, the transverse and
longitudinal directions 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 CSiBridge and
Demand/Capacity Ratios 7-1

can be viewed using the Advanced > Define > Generalized Displacements
command.
7-2 Demand/Capacity Ratios

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 Home > Display > Show Tables
command. The second way is to create a report using the Orb > Report > Cre-
ate 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.
Design 01 – D-C Ratios 8-1

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. This table is for concrete col-
umns only.
8-2 Design 01 – D-C Ratios

Step 8 - Review Output and Create Report
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. This table is for concrete columns only.
8.5 Design 05 – Support Bearing Demand – Forces

The forces in the bearing due to the seismic loads are presented in the following
table. All bearings at the abutments and bents that are found to resist seismic
forces are included in the subject table.
Design 04 – Bent Column Cracked Section Properties 8-3

8.6 Design 06 – Support Bearing Demand – Deformations

The deformations for all bearings at the abutments and bents that resist seismic
loads are tabulated and reported.
8-4 Design 06 – Support Bearing Demand – Deformations

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.
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 CSiBridge writes as a Microsoft Word document.
Design 07 – Support Length Demands 8-5

8-6 Create Report

Create Report 8-7

8-8 Create Report

Chapter 9
Caltrans Fault Crossing Seismic Bridge Design
9.1 Introduction
Automated seismic design for bridges crossing seismic faults is available in
CSiBridge. The methodology is based on the following references:
• Rakesh K. Goel and Anil K. Chopra, “Analysis of Ordinary Bridges Crossing

Fault Rupture Zones,” Research Conducted for the California Department of
Transportation Contract No. 59A0435 Earthquake Engineering Research
Center University of California at Berkeley February 2008 Report No.
UCB/EERC-2008/01.
• Rakesh K. Goel and Bing Qu, “Analysis of Bridges Crossing Fault‐Rupture
Zones: Step‐By‐Step Procedure for SAP Implementation”.
• Caltrans, “Ordinary Bridges that Cross Faults”, Bridge Design Aids 14-6.
• Caltrans, “Analysis of Ordinary Bridges that Cross Faults”, Memo to
Designers 20-8, January 2013.
In summary, this seismic design procedure considers the rupture of a seismic

fault that crosses a bridge structure such that the supports are subject to
significant ground displacements that are different for the supports on either side
of the fault.
Introduction 9-1
CSiBridge - Caltrans Fault-Crossing Seismic Bridge Design
The displacement demand on the structure is calculated by performing a

nonlinear static analysis for the full displacement of the fault and adding to that
the results of a generalized response-spectrum analysis for the inertial forces due
to this non-uniform ground motion. As an aside, by using this method, a fault
which occurs near the bridge but does not cross the bridge will produce the same
demand as using standard response-spectrum analysis with uniform ground
acceleration.
The displacement capacity of the bents is determined by performing nonlinear

static pushover analysis of the isolated bents in the longitudinal and transverse
directions. This is the same procedure used in CSiBridge for automated
AASHTO LRFD seismic bridge design.
Finally, a demand/capacity ratio is computed for each bent in the longitudinal

and transverse direction and reported in a table. A report can be generated that
provides a description of the bridge structure, and the seismic demands and
capacities for one or more fault-crossing cases.
Caltrans Fault-Crossing Seismic Bridge Design follows the same general

approach as AASHTO LRFD bridge seismic design, differing primarily in the
specification of the Seismic Design Request. For this reason, you should be
familiar with details of the AASHTO procedure described in the earlier in this
manual before proceeding further.
9.2 Fault-Crossing Response-Spectrum Loading

Step 4 of the AASHTO Seismic Bridge Design procedure is replaced by
specifying the expected location, magnitude, and direction of fault displacement
that will occur at the bridge site, as well as the associated response-spectrum
loading that is associated with this motion. The fault displacement is specified
directly as part of the Seismic Design Request, as described later. First the
response-spectrum functions must be specified.
One or more response-spectrum functions should be defined that characterize the

dynamic response to the ground motion. The response-spectrum functions should
be chosen as appropriate for near-fault behavior. Different functions may be
chosen for the directions parallel to the fault, normal to the fault, and vertical. It
is important to understand how these functions will be used.
9 - 2 Fault-Crossing Response-Spectrum Loading

Two types of response-spectrum functions may be applied in each direction:
• A standard response-spectrum function representing uniform ground

acceleration
• A fault-displacement response-spectrum function representing the vibration
due to non-uniform ground displacement
Both types of response-spectrum loading may be applied in a given direction,

although usually only one or the other would be.
Standard response-spectrum functions are applied to uniform ground motion

represented as a translational acceleration in a single direction. For purposes of
comparison with fault-rupture function, this loading can be viewed as a rigid-
body translation of the entire structure an arbitrary distance u0, multiplied by the
mass at each joint, and multiplied by g/u0, to create a force load acting on the
structure. Here g is the gravitational constant in the same units as the
displacement u0. Note that the units of the load are Length x Mass x
Length/Time^2 / Length = Force.
For ground motion caused by the rupture of a fault at a bridge structure, the
loading is calculated by first determining the deflected shape of the structure due
to linear static application of the ground motion. For example, consider a fault
that crosses the structure between two bents, and experiences a slip of 2u0 in the
direction parallel to the fault. The supports on one side of the fault move a
distance of u0 transversely to the left, and on the other side of the fault by a
distance of u0 transversely to the right. Each support moves a distance of u0 from
its initial position.
The deflected shape of the structure due to this loading reflects the ground
motion, but is moderated by the flexibility of the foundation, bents, bearings, and
superstructure. This deflected shape is called the quasi-static deflection, and is
used to calculate the seismic load that will be used with the response-spectrum
function. An example is shown below for a three-span structure with a transverse
fault slip occurring within the first span.
Fault-Crossing Response-Spectrum Loading 9 - 3

The response-spectrum load is calculated as a set of forces acting at each joint

that are given by the product of the deflections at the joint (in any direction),
multiplied by the mass at that joint, and multiplied by g/u0. Note that this loading
may have components in any direction. For example, fault motion transverse to
the bridge may cause forces in the vertical and longitudinal directions as well as
the transverse direction.
While the actual fault motion may be a net slip of 2u0, the response-spectrum
loading is applied to a displaced shape caused by motion of +1 and -1 unit
displacements on either side of the fault, due to the use of the scale factor g/u0.
This follows the method of Goel, Chopra, and Qu. Note that this approach has
the benefit that if the fault does not cross the bridge, the entire structure moves as
a rigid body for a distance u0, and the loading is then identical to the case of
uniform acceleration.
9 - 4 Fault-Crossing Response-Spectrum Loading

9.3 Defining Fault-Crossing Seismic Design Requests

Define one or more Seismic Design Requests, using the command shown below.
Defining Fault-Crossing Seismic Design Requests 9 - 5

Click Add New Request, which brings up the following form:
Choose the bridge object to which this request will apply, and select the Check
Type to be Caltrans Fault Crossing, which changes the form as shown below.
Enter the loading data as follows:
• Choose Planar fault definition. General Displacement Loading will be

described later in this document.
• Enter the station where the fault crosses the layout line that was used to
define the bridge object.
• Enter the orientation of the fault. “Default” is perpendicular to the layout line
at the crossing station. You may enter a bearing, such as N30E or
S251933.45W, or a skew angle relative to Default, such as 30 or -45.
• For each direction of displacement loading to be considered simultaneously
in this Design Request, enter the displacement magnitude and the
corresponding response-spectrum function.
9 - 6 Defining Fault-Crossing Seismic Design Requests

o See Step 3 above for more information about response-spectrum

functions.
o The displacement is the actual movement, u0, of each support on
either side of the fault. In other words, it is half the total slip of the
fault. The default is 0.5m.
o For vertical motion on an inclined fault, enter the components in the
vertical and horizontal-normal directions.
• For each direction of uniform acceleration loading (no slip), enter the
corresponding response-spectrum function.

The displacement demand will be calculated by applying the specified fault

motions as follows:
(1) The specified fault displacements will be applied together in a nonlinear-

static displacement load case.
(2) The fault-displacement response-spectrum loads, if any, will be applied
together in a response-spectrum load case.
(3) The uniform-acceleration response-spectrum loads, if any, will be applied
together in a separate response-spectrum load case.
(4) The two response-spectrum load cases will be combined in a load
combination.
(5) The final demand result is obtained by combining the displacement load case
(1) with the response-spectrum load combination (4).
Note that if the specified displacement is too large, the nonlinear-static load case
will not converge and the seismic design request will not complete. This
indicates that the structure does not have sufficient ductility to resist the specified
loading, and further calculation not warranted. For many structures, the amount
of displacement that can be accommodated is quite small. If you cannot get
convergence with the desired value, try a smaller value so that you can determine
the capacity of the structure.
By default, the different directions of loading in the response-spectrum load cases

are combined by absolute sum. This may be changed to the SRSS or CQC3
method in the design request parameters, see below. This same method will be
used to combine the two response-spectrum load cases together in the response-
spectrum load combination. If CQC3 is chosen, it actually applies only to the
uniform-acceleration load case (3), and SRSS will be used for the fault-
displacement load case (2) and for the response-spectrum load combination (4).
In any case, the final combination (5) of the nonlinear-static displacement load
case and the response-spectrum load combination will always use absolute sum.
Additional detail is provided in topic “Automatic Load Cases and Combinations”
below.
Additional parameters may be specified for this Design Request by clicking on

the Modify/Show button, bringing up the form as shown below. These
parameters are optional and do not usually need to be changed.
9 - 8 Defining Fault-Crossing Seismic Design Requests

Most of these parameters are identical to the parameters for the AASHTO Seismic
Design Request, and are described in the CSiBridge Seismic Analysis and Design
manual. A few of these parameters of particular interest for fault-crossing analysis
are described here:
• The Seismic Design Category (1) has the same meaning as it does for
AASHTO seismic design, but it is not automatically determined from the
response-spectrum functions. Due to the severity of fault-crossing motion,
category “D” is probably most appropriate, meaning that the capacity will be
determined by nonlinear static pushover analysis. However, if you just want
to study the seismic demand due to fault crossing and don’t care about
capacity, setting the category to be less than “D” will speed up the analysis.
• Type of Modes (13) is fixed to be Ritz. This is superior to using Eigen modes
for ground displacement loading, which tends to excite higher frequency
modes than acceleration loading.

• Directional Combination (17) may be Absolute, SRSS, or CQC3. Goel and

Qu recommend using Absolute for fault-crossing analysis.
9.4 Running Fault-Crossing Seismic Design Requests

After defining one or more Seismic Design Requests, these can be run using the
command shown below:
Using the buttons on the right, select the Design Requests that you would like to
run, and set their action to “Design”. Then click the Design Now button.
We recommend unlocking the model before using this command, which will
delete all prior results. You may wish to save the model under a new name before
doing this. We also recommend simultaneously running all design requests of
interest at the same time, although this is not required.
After clicking the Design Now button, CSiBridge will create and run multiple
load cases for each Design Request to calculate the demands and capacities. The
results of some cases are used to create additional cases, so the analyses are
9 - 10 Running Fault-Crossing Seismic Design Requests

performed in a sequence of runs. These load cases are described later in this
document.
You will know when the seismic design is done when a table of final results is
presented, or a message is produced in case the Design Requests were unable to
complete for any reason.
9.5 Creating a Seismic Design Report

Use the command below to create a Bridge Seismic Design Report that includes
a description of the bridge object, the seismic loading, and the demand and
capacity results.
This report will be written to an .RTF file that can be opened in Microsoft Word
for viewing, editing, and printing.
The same data can be viewed within CSiBridge using the command Home >
Display > Show Tables.
Creating a Seismic Design Report 9 - 11

Results are presented for both displacement and force demands, as well as
capacities. While the displacement demands may be meaningful for design
purposes, the force demands should be used only for reference purposes, since
they superpose the linear response-spectrum results with the nonlinear static
results and are not mathematically valid.
9.6 Automatic Load Cases and Combinations

For each fault-crossing Design Request, several Load Combinations, Load Cases,
Load Patterns, Named Property Sets, Groups, Generalized Displacements, and
other entities may be automatically created during the design process. Most of
these are similar to the AASHTO Seismic Design. Additional detail is provided
here regarding the Load cases and combinations that are used for a Fault-
Crossing Design Request.
The following are the Load cases that created by default. The load cases and their
details may differ depending on the choice of the Design Request Parameters.
Each Load case name ends with the name of the Design Request. In these
examples, this is assumed to be “QReqX”:
• <QreqX>GRAV. This is a nonlinear static analysis for gravity load that is

used to calculate the initial conditions for all subsequent demand and
capacity calculations. This case is re-run iteratively to determine the cracked
section properties of the columns. The cracked properties are represented as
named property sets that are applied in this load case, which is solved as a
staged-construction load case with a single stage. This case is common to
both AASTHO and fault-crossing seismic design.
• <QreqX>DIS. This is a nonlinear static load case that continues from the
gravity case <QreqX>GRAV and applies the full specified ground motion.
The results of this load case will later be combined with the response-
spectrum results to form the displacement demand. This case is unique to
9 - 12 Automatic Load Cases and Combinations

fault-crossing seismic design.
• <QreqX>MODAL. This is a Ritz modal load case that uses the stiffness from
load case <QreqX>GRAV and calculates vibration modes optimized for the
fault-crossing response-spectrum analysis. For each direction of fault slip, a
separate load pattern is created that applies the specified ground motion to
the supports. These load patterns are then applied as “Load Inertia” and used
as the starting load vectors in the Ritz modal case. If uniform acceleration
loading has been specified for the design request, acceleration loads are
added to this modal case. Load Inertia is a new type of loading added to
CSiBridge for the purpose of calculating fault-crossing response. Load
Inertia applies the specified load pattern, multiplies the resulting
displacement at each degree-of-freedom in the structure by its respective
mass, and then reapplies the result as an inertial load to get the final
response. This same loading will be applied in the response-spectrum case.
This case is unique to fault-crossing seismic design, although a different
modal case is used for AASHTO design.
• <QreqX>RS_DIS. This is a generalized response-spectrum analysis for fault-

crossing motion that uses the modes calculated in load case
<QreqX>MODAL. The same fault-crossing load patterns used in the modal
case are applied here as Load Inertia. Each inertial load is applied with its
respective response-spectrum function as specified in the Design Request,
and scaled by g/u0. For each load, the modes are combined using the CQC
method. The directional loads are then combined as an absolute sum by
default, although you may choose to use SRSS in the Design Request. This
case is unique to fault-crossing seismic design, although different response-
spectrum cases are used for AASHTO design.
• <QreqX>RS_UNIF. This is a standard response-spectrum analysis for the

uniform acceleration, if any, specified in the design request. This case also
uses modes calculated in modal case <QreqX>MODAL. For each load, the
modes are combined using the CQC method. The directional loads are then
combined as an absolute sum by default, although you may choose to use
SRSS in the Design Request. This case is similar to that used for AASHTO
design.
Automatic Load Cases and Combinations 9 - 13

• <QreqX>bGRAV. This is a nonlinear static analysis for gravity load that is

used to calculate the initial conditions for bent capacity calculations when the
seismic design category is D. This case is solved as a staged-construction
load case that continues from <QreqX>GRAV, removes the superstructure,
and replaces it with an equivalent mass and weight at the bearing locations.
This case is common to both AASTHO and fault-crossing seismic design.
• <QreqX>PO_TRn and <QreqX>PO_LGn. These are a set of nonlinear static

pushover load cases used to calculate the bent capacities in the transverse and
longitudinal directions, respectively, for each bent n when the seismic design
category is D. Each case continues from <QreqX>bGRAV. These cases are
common to both AASTHO and fault-crossing seismic design.
Two load combinations are created to calculate the total seismic demand:
• <QreqX>cboRSP. This combines the response-spectrum results from the two

cases <QreqX>RS_DIS and <QreqX>RS_UNIF. This combination is always
created, even if only one response-spectrum load case is used.
• <QreqX>cboDIS.RSP. This calculates the total demand as the absolute sum

of nonlinear-static load case <QreqX>DIS and response-spectrum load
combination <QreqX>cboRSP. This is the final result that is reported used
for demand.
Further information on the calculation of capacity and the use of generalized

displacements to measure both the demand and capacity can be found earlier in
this manual for AASHTO Bridge Seismic Design.
9.7 General Displacement Loading

You may consider more general displacement loading due to fault rupture than is
possible with the planar definition described above. Examples would include
loading where the displacement is not a uniform translation on either side of the
fault, where rotational motions has occurred, or where there are multiple fault
ruptures crossing the bridge. Another instance would be where you wish to
consider the fault-parallel, fault-normal, and fault-normal motion in a single
correlated load pattern rather than three independent motions combined by
absolute sum in the response-spectrum load case.
9 - 14 General Displacement Loading

Note that there is no established protocol for using general displacement loading
in design at the present time. Using this method requires engineering judgment
and perhaps some experimentation.
The procedure is similar to the that described above for defining a Seismic
Design Request for planar motion, with the following differences.
9.7.1 Defining Load Patterns and Response-Spectrum

Functions
For each independent motion to be considered in the Design Request, you will
need to define a load pattern in addition to a response-spectrum function. The
same response-spectrum function can be used for multiple load Patterns if
appropriate.
The procedure is as follows:
• Define the new load patterns. Enter a Name, set the Type to Other, set the
Self Weight Multiplier to zero, and click Add New Load Pattern.
• For each load pattern, select the various supported joints and assign ground
displacement loads, as appropriate, using the command Advanced > Assign
Loads > Joints > Displacements. Be sure to select the desired load pattern
in the assignment form.
• Note that displacement loads will only act at joint degrees of freedom
connected to ground through restraints, springs, or single-joint links.
Displacements assigned to other joints or degrees of freedom are permitted
General Displacement Loading 9 - 15

but will have no effect on the structure. The magnitude of the loads are not
important, only their relative values. They can be scaled later, separately for
the nonlinear and the response-spectrum load cases. For complicated ground
motion, you may wish to use tabular data entry using the interactive database
editor. The figure on the next page shows the joint displacements loads that
are generated automatically for transverse planar fault-parallel motion in the
first span. Note that loads are applied everywhere, but that they will only act
at the base.
• To apply uniform acceleration, define a displacement load pattern and assign
an equal translation in the desired direction to every joint.
• For each load pattern, decide on a single reference displacement value, u0,
which characterizes the motion. This may be the most difficult part. This
value will be used later to normalize the load pattern for application in the
response-spectrum load case. By analogy with the planar motion, it should
represent a measure of how much each joint moves from its initial position.
For non-uniform motion, you could use the average displacement or the
maximum displacement, as determined by your engineering judgment. You
can assign displacement loads of any magnitude in the load pattern, but the
value u0 should be representative of these loads.
• Define response-spectrum functions that characterize the dynamic response
to the ground motion for the various load patterns. The response-spectrum
functions should be chosen as appropriate for type of near-fault behavior
characterized by the load patterns.

9.7.2 Defining a Seismic Design Request

This mostly follows the procedure for the case of planar fault motion, with the
following exceptions:
• Choose General Displacement Loading for the fault definition. The form will
appear as shown below (after entering Loading data).
• Click the Add button to add a new load pattern.
• For each load pattern:
o Choose the name of the load pattern you previously defined
o Choose the name of the corresponding response-spectrum function.
o Enter a dimensionless scale factor that will multiple the load pattern
when it is used in the nonlinear static displacement load case. The

default is unity. Increasing this scale factor will increase the static
load, but will have no effect on the response-spectrum load case.
o Enter the reference displacement u0 for the load pattern, determined
as described in Step 3 above. This value has units of length, and will
be used to scale the response-spectrum load by g/u0. The default is
0.5 m, but you should a value that actually corresponds to the
magnitude of the loads applied in the load pattern. Increasing this
reference displacement will reduce the response-spectrum load, but
will have no effect on the nonlinear static load case.
You may add or delete as many load patterns as you wish. These load patterns
will be applied in the nonlinear static, Ritz modal, and response-spectrum load
cases. The Design Request Parameters are the same as for planar motion.


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, 2011. 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 2011
FEMA 356, Prestandard and Commentary for the Seismic Rehabilitation of

Buildings, November 2000, Federal Emergency Management Agency,
Washington D.C.
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Bridge Seismic Design

Bridge Seismic Design

ISO BRG113017M15 Rev. 0

Copyright  Computers & Structures, Inc., 1978-2017

No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any

Further information and copies of this documentation may be obtained from:

Computers & Structures, Inc.

info@csiamerica.com (for general information)

CONSIDERABLE TIME, EFFORT AND EXPENSE HAVE GONE INTO THE

Step 1 Create the Bridge Model

1.1 Example Model 1-1

1.2 Description of the Example Bridge 1-2

1.3 Bridge Layout Line 1-4

1.4 Frame Section Property Definitions 1-4

1.4.1 Bent Cap Beam 1-4

1.5 Bridge Deck Section 1-8

1.6 Bent Data 1-8

1.7 Bridge Object Definition 1-11

1.7.1 Abutment Property Assignments 1-12

1.7.4 Bent Geometry 1-17

1.8 Equivalent Pile Formulation 1-17

1.9 Bent Foundation Modeling 1-18

1.10 Mass Source 1-19

Step 2 Ground Motion Hazard and Seismic Design Request

2.1 Overview 2-1

2.2 AASHTO and USGS Hazard Maps 2-1

2.3 Seismic Design Preference 2-3

2.4 Seismic Design Request 2-4

2.5 Perform Seismic Design 2-8

2.6 Auto Load Patterns 2-9

2.7 Auto Load Cases 2-10

Step 3 Dead Load Analysis and Cracked Section Properties

Step 4 Response Spectrum and Demand Displacements

4.1 Overview 4-1

4.2 Response Spectrum Load Cases 4-1

4.3 Response Spectrum Results 4-5

Step 5 Determine Plastic Hinge Properties and Assignments

5.1 Overview 5-1

5.2 Plastic Hinge Lengths 5-1

5.3 Nonlinear Hinge Properties 5-4

5.4 Nonlinear Material Property Definitions 5-7

5.4.1 Nonlinear Material Properties Definitions for

5.5 Plastic Hinge Options 5-10

Step 6 Capacity Displacement Analyses

6.1 Displacement Capacities for SDC B and C 6-2

6.2 Displacement Capacities for SDC D 6-3

6.3 Pushover Results 6-7

Step 7 Demand/Capacity Ratios

Step 8 Review Output and Create Report

8.1 Design 01 – D/C Ratios 8-2

8.2 Design 02 – Bent Column Force Demand 8-2

8.3 Design 03 – Bent Column Idealized Moment

8.4 Design 04 – Bent Column Cracked Section

8.5 Design 05 – Support Bearing Demands – Forces 8-3

8.6 Design 06 – Support Bearing Demand –

8.7 Design 07 – Support Length Demands 8-5

8.8 Create Report 8-5

Chapter 9 Caltrans Fault Crossing Seismic Bridge Design

9.2 Fault Crossing Response Spectrum Loading 9-2

9.3 Defining Fault Crossing Seismic Design Requests 9-5

9.4 Running Fault Crossing Seismic Design Requests 9-10

9.6 Automatic Load Cases and Combinations 9-12

9.7 General Displacement Loading 9-14

Automated seismic design, one of CSiBridge’s many features, incorporates the