TxDOT Research Library - TxDOT Research Project

Show:

Seismic Vulnerability and Post-Event Actions

USGS map of 2017-18 earthquakes in Texas

What Was the Need?

"Historically, seismic hazards have not been a major concern in the design and maintenance of bridges in the State of Texas due to the infrequency and low magnitudes of seismic events experienced in the state. A recent increase in the number earthquakes across Texas and the larger magnitude earthquakes that have occurred recently in nearby states has raised concerns over the seismic vulnerability of the Texas’s bridge inventory and the need for a plan of action for immediate post-earthquake response by TxDOT officials."

What's the Solution?

"The fragility curves produced in this project can be used to determine the level of ground shaking intensity that requires some action to be taken... Following a seismic event, TxDOT officials can use ShakeMaps produced by USGS to identify the areas with ground shaking exceeding this threshold, and ultimately the bridges that require inspection or some other action. An example implementation of this post-earthquake response plan was provided in the project report for one earthquake scenario and two different assumed 'thresholds for action.' To facilitate implementation of the proposed action plan, the research team recommends that the results of this project be integrated into an application such as the USGS ShakeCast."

Research Benefits

"Once the results are implemented, this software can automate the post-event action plan process of identifying bridges requiring action, using the refined Vs30 maps and the Texas-specific bridge fragility curves to better estimate levels of shaking and the likelihood of damage across the state."

Project Number

0-6916

Status

Completed

link icon Copy link to this project.