NONLINEAR ANALYSIS OF BRIDGE STRUCTURES. IN: BRIDGE ENGINEERING: SEISMIC DESIGN

Nonlinear bridge analysis has gained a greater momentum in recent years because of the need to assess inelastic structural behavior under seismic loads. Common seismic design philosophies for ordinary bridges allow some degree of damage before collapse. To control and evaluate damage, a postelastic nonlinear analysis is required. This paper presents some general guidelines for nonlinear static analysis, followed by discussion of the formulations of geometric and material nonlinearities for section and frame analysis. Provided are two examples to illustrate the application of static nonlinear push-over analysis in bridge seismic design.