Can irregular bridges designed as per the Indian standards achieve seismic regularity?

Abstract

One of the major developments in seismic design over the past few decades is the increased emphasis for limit states design now generally termed as Performance Based Engineering. Performance Based Seismic Design (PBSD) uses Displacement Based Design (DBD) methodology wherein structures are designed for a target level of displacement rather than Force Based Design (FBD) methodology where force or strength aspect is being used. Indian codes still follow FBD methodology compared to other modern codes like CalTrans, which follow DBD methodology. Hence in the present study, a detailed review of the two most common design methodologies i.e., FBD and DBD is presented. A critical evaluation of both these methodologies by comparing the seismic performance of bridge models designed using them highlight the importance of adopting DBD techniques in Indian Standards also. The inherent discrepancy associated with FBD in achieving ´seismic regularity´ is highlighted by assessing the seismic performance of bridges with varied relative height ratios. The study also encompasses a brief comparison of the seismic design and detailing provisions of IRC 112 (2011), IRC 21 (2000), AASHTO LRFD (2012) and CalTrans (2013) to evaluate the discrepancies on the same in the Indian Standards. Based on the seismic performance evaluation and literature review a need for increasing the minimum longitudinal reinforcement percentage stipulated by IRC 112 (2011) for bridge columns is found necessary.