Validation of Ground Motion Simulations for Historical Events using Skewed Bridges

Abstract

This paper provides a statistical comparison between seismic demands of reinforced concrete bridges with skew-angled seat-type abutments subjected to past events using simulations and actual recordings. Through nonlinear dynamic analysis conducted using hybrid broadband simulated ground motions and real records for two historical earthquakes; i.e., the 1989 M 6.8 Loma Prieta earthquake and the 1994 M 6.7 Northridge earthquake, it is demonstrated that the distributions of column drift ratios, deck rotations and displacements produced by simulations agree reasonably well with those produced by recorded ground motions. Ground motion intensity measures related to ground motion directionality and directivity are finally compared for both simulations and recorded waveforms.