Seismic fragility assessment of an in-service piled bridge abutment subjected to a liquefaction-induced lateral spreading and mitigation strategy

Abstract

This study assesses the seismic fragility curves of in-service piled bridge abutments on liquefaction-prone soils and evaluates an optimal countermeasure within the vulnerability framework. Seismic fragility curves, accounting for varying ground motion intensities, assess the seismic risk and describe abutment damage through settlement measurements. The ageing abutment performance is estimated by integrating a corrosion model into fragility curves. The impact of different sheet pile positions on the seismic performance of in-service piled bridge abutments is analysed, and the optimal pile position is discussed. The developed fragility curves provide a rapid and effective risk assessment tool for the seismic performance of in-service abutments and guide liquefaction remedial measures.