Abstract
Proposed is an inspection method which is capable to assess seismic vulnerability of a number of existing highway bridges without complex calculation. Total of 124 highway bridges which suffered damages during four earthquakes including the Miyagi-ken-oki Earthquake of 1978 is statistically analyzed, and factors affecting seismic damages are studied. Because fatal damages such as falling-off of superstructures are most likely developed from an excessive relative movement between the superstructure and the substructure, and from a failure of the substructures due to inadequate strength, an inspection method for the seismic vulnerability is developed based on vulnerability to develop excessive deformation and failure of substructures. Accuracy of the method is also studied.
