ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: Highway bridges, including those constructed under modern seismic design codes, were severe damaged during the Chi-Chi earthquake in Taiwan. According to the Taiwanese Highway Bureau’s preliminary report, at least nine bridges were severely damaged, including three bridges that were under construction. Five bridges collapsed due to fault rupture, and seven bridges were moderately damaged (Yen 2002). Bridge design specifications used in Taiwan have been revised three times since 1960. Prior to 1960, several design guide specifications were used for practical design. Some of them were based on Japanese design codes. The latest design specifications were based on the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) bridge design specifications issued in 1995. The seismic design part of the code was not changed much from the 1992 AASHTO specifications.
