ABSTRACT
In order to evaluate the seismic performance of typical continuous rigid railway bridge with high pier under the action of near fault ground motion in western China, the vulnerability analysis of this type of bridge is carried out by using kernel density estimation method (KDE method). Considering the uncertainty of ground motions and bridge parameters, a model sample database is generated. The seismic response of the bridge is obtained based on the time-history analysis of the model sample database on the OpenSees platform. A bridge vulnerability analysis method based on KDE is proposed, in which the curvature ductility ratio and relative displacement are respectively considered as pier and bearing damage indexes. The longitudinal and transverse vulnerability curves of the structure are calculated and then the vulnerability distribution characteristics of the pier is studied deeply by this method. The results show that the failure probability of bearing is the highest among all the bridge members. It is also observed that the damage is mainly concentrated on the top and bottom of high pier under strong near fault ground motions. Further more, the established vulnerability curves can be used to evaluate the seismic performance of long span bridges with high pier, as well as to provide the basis for seismic risk assessment, seismic damage diagnosis and retrofit policy in transport system.
