Influence of Vertical Ground Motions on the Seismic Fragility Modeling of a Bridge-Soil-Foundation System

Abstract

This paper explores the effects of vertical ground motions (VGMs) on the component fragility of a coupled bridged-soil-foundation (CBSF) system with liquefaction potential, and highlights the unique considerations on the demand and capacity model required for fragility analysis under VGMs. Optimal intensity measures (IMs) that account for VGMs are identified. Moreover, fragility curves that consider capacity change with fluctuating axial force are derived. Results show that the presence of VGMs has a minor effect on the failure probabilities of piles and expansion bearings, while it has a great influence on fixed bearings. Whether VGMs have an impact on column fragilities depends on the design axial load ratio. Finally, more accurate fragility surfaces are derived, which are compared with results of conventional fragility curves. This study highlights the important role that VGMs play in the selection of optimal IMs, and the capacity and fragility representation of certain components of CBSF systems.