A Study on a Framework for Treatment of Uncertainty in Seismic Design for Road Bridges

Abstract

Structures such as road bridges are designed considering various uncertainties. In design of road bridges using the partial factor method, uncertainties which can be evaluated probabilistically are considered by partial factors. On the other hand, uncertainties that are difficult to evaluate probabilistically are treated in various ways in the design process. The level of reliability required for the measures to deal with uncertainties other than those expressed by partial factors is not clear. Therefore, to improve the accountability of treatment of uncertainties and to deal with uncertainties more reliably and efficiently in the design of road bridges, this study discusses uncertainties in the design of road bridges and examines a framework for treatment of uncertainty in seismic design.