Second-generation component and system-level seismic fragility models for reinforced concrete bridges in California

California is a seismically active region that contains approximately 26,000 bridges. Historical earthquakes have caused severe damage and collapse of bridges in California, resulting in casualties, economic losses, and disruptions to transportation networks. Seismic fragility models of bridges estimate the probability of exceeding damage states at varying ground motion intensity levels. These models can be utilized for bridge vulnerability assessment, risk and resilience quantification, and to support earthquake preparedness and response planning. Recent studies have developed a new generation of seismic fragility models for bridges, demonstrating several advancements when compared with the widely used first-generation HAZUS models. These models, termed second-generation fragility functions, are derived through detailed dynamic response analyses and are differentiated at the component level, with more rational, performance-based criteria for bridge grouping and archetype sampling. This study compiles and adapts a comprehensive set of second-generation fragility models from the literature. As part of this compilation, we filtered out fragility functions with outdated capacity models and unrealistic bridge configurations, establishing uniform bridge grouping criteria, and harmonized different cross-model ground motion intensity measures and bridge component definitions. The database comprises approximately 2300 component- and 500 system-level fragility models categorized into 26 bridge groups. It can serve as a valuable resource for researchers and practitioners conducting various related analyses to enhance the seismic resilience of bridge infrastructure in California.

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Publication Details

Journal
Earthquake Spectra
Published
2025-06-19
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/87552930251343634
Citations
3
Primary Topic
Seismic Performance and Analysis
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
2.86

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article

Second-generation component and system-level seismic fragility models for reinforced concrete bridges in California

Henry V. Burton, Ádám Zsarnóczay, Jamie Ellen Padgett, Chenhao Wu et al.
3 citations
Earthquake Spectra
Seismic Performance and Analysis
2.86
article

Second-generation component and system-level seismic fragility models for reinforced concrete bridges in California

Henry V. Burton, Ádám Zsarnóczay, Jamie Ellen Padgett, Chenhao Wu, Yazhou Xie, Shanshan Chen
article en
3 citations

Abstract

California is a seismically active region that contains approximately 26,000 bridges. Historical earthquakes have caused severe damage and collapse of bridges in California, resulting in casualties, economic losses, and disruptions to transportation networks. Seismic fragility models of bridges estimate the probability of exceeding damage states at varying ground motion intensity levels. These models can be utilized for bridge vulnerability assessment, risk and resilience quantification, and to support earthquake preparedness and response planning. Recent studies have developed a new generation of seismic fragility models for bridges, demonstrating several advancements when compared with the widely used first-generation HAZUS models. These models, termed second-generation fragility functions, are derived through detailed dynamic response analyses and are differentiated at the component level, with more rational, performance-based criteria for bridge grouping and archetype sampling. This study compiles and adapts a comprehensive set of second-generation fragility models from the literature. As part of this compilation, we filtered out fragility functions with outdated capacity models and unrealistic bridge configurations, establishing uniform bridge grouping criteria, and harmonized different cross-model ground motion intensity measures and bridge component definitions. The database comprises approximately 2300 component- and 500 system-level fragility models categorized into 26 bridge groups. It can serve as a valuable resource for researchers and practitioners conducting various related analyses to enhance the seismic resilience of bridge infrastructure in California.

Earthquake SpectraVol. 41(4)
University of California, Los Angeles (US), McGill University (CA), Rice University (US), Stanford University (US)
National Science Foundation, Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center, University of California Berkeley, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
Industry, innovation and infrastructure
Openalex Percentile: Top 10%
Seismic Performance and Analysis
2.86
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