GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

RDSO GUIDELINES ON SEISMIC DESIGN

OF RAILWAY BRIDGES
(Version 1.0)

REPORT NO. BS – 118

NOVEMBER - 2015

BRIDGE & STRUCUTRES DIRECTORATE

RESEARCH DESIGNS AND STANDARDS ORGANISATION
LUCKNOW-226011
Mae

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

RDSO GUIDELINES
ON
SEISMIC DESIGN of RAILWAY BRIDGES
(Version 1.0)

NOVEMBER, 2015

BRIDGE & STRUCTURES DIRECTORATE

RESEARCH DESIGNS AND STANDARDS ORGANISATION
LUCKNOW – 226011
 PREFACE

The Guidelines on Seismic Design of Railway Bridges were initially prepared by IIT-Kanpur in
joint consultation with RDSO in year 2010 and circulated to all the Railways for their comments
on the same. Advice were sought from the different PSU’s and Metro Railways as well. The
provisions of the IITK-RDSO guidelines were put up before the Bridge Standard Committee for its
acceptance and subsequent adoption in Bridge rules and other design codes. However, in 80 th
and 81st BSC only a very small portion of this Guideline was accepted. After obtaining advice from
all concerned and also based upon the provisions of IRC-6, it was felt that the response reduction
factor used in the IIT-K RDSO Guidelines were too conservative. There was a major disagreement
on Live load factor as well. Accordingly, some design parameters of IIT-K RDSO guidelines were
modified and presented before the 82nd BSC in January-2014. The proposed modifications in IITK-
RDSO Guidelines were approved by the BSC along with recommendation to incorporate the new
design provisions in all the relevant Codes and Manuals through correction slips.
The current Seismic design provisions of Bridge rules are based upon IS 1893-1984. IS code was
completely revised in 2002 incorporating the latest design philosophy. The new methods of IS
1893-2002 were based on the international practices and it took into account the Flexibility and
Ductility of the structure while calculating design forces. Indian Road Congress also adopted the
new IS provisions replacing the old provisions in IRC-6. Indian Railways have not yet upgraded its
Seismic design codes to the current Indian and International standards. The current provisions of
the Bridge rule, where Seismic accelerations are not related to the flexibility of Bridge is not very
rational and it has now become obsolete. Provision of ductility in the structure allows us to take
lesser forces in the design, as the structure can survive severe seismic shaking through large
deflections in plastic range, consequently dissipating more energy. But our current Bridge rule
does not take any advantage of ductility of the structure in design, giving no incentive for
providing ductility features in the Bridge Substructure.
The provisions of this Guidelines will be soon incorporated in the Bridge Rules, Codes and
Manuals through correction slips. The Guidelines have been simplified and made more concise
so that it can be easily grasped and put to use in the design offices. With the issue of this
Guideline, the earlier issued IIT-K RDSO Guidelines stands withdrawn.

A.K Dadarya
(ED/ B&S/ RDSO)
 CONTENTS
1 Terminology………………………………………………………………. 1
2 Symbols………………………………………………………………. 4
3 Introduction ………………………………………………………………. 7
4 General Principles ………………………………………………………………. 7
4.1 Ground Motion………………………………………………………………. 7
4.2 ……………………………………………………………….. 7
4.3 ……………………………………………………………….. 7
4.4 …….…………………………………………………………. 7
4.5 ….……………………………………………………………. 7
4.6 ……….………………………………………………………. 8
4.7 Assumptions ……………………………………………… 9
5. Conceptual Considerations ……………………………………………… 9
6. Design Criteria……………………………………………………................ 10
6.1 Seismic Zone Map………………………………………………………… 10
6.2 Importance Factor………………………………………………………… 11
6.3 Methods of Calculating Design Seismic Force………………………… 12
6.3.1………………………………………………………………... 12
6.3.2………………………………………………………………... 12
6.3.3………………………………………………………………... 12
6.3.4………………………………………………………………... 12
6.4 Seismic Weight and Live Load………………………………………….. 13
6.4.1 Seismic Weight…………………………………………………... 13
6.4.2 Live Load in Seismic Weight …………………………………….. 13
6.4.3 Seismic Mass …………………………………………………...... 13
6.5 Combination of Seismic Components …………………………………. 13
6.5.1……………………………………………………………... 13
6.5.2 ……………………………………………………………... 14
6.5.3 ……………………………………………………………... 15
6.5.4 ……………………………………………………………... 15
6.6 Damping and soil Properties ……………………………………………. 15
6.6.1 ………………………………………………………………. 15
6.6.1.1 …………………………………………………………….. 15
6.6.1.2 …………………………………………………………….. 15
6.6.2 Increase in Allowable Pressure in Soils ………………………… 15
6.6.3 ……………………………………………………………… 15
 6.6.4 Soil Structure Interaction …………………………………............ 16
6.7 Combination of Seismic Design Forces with Other Forces ………….. 17
6.8 Vertical Motions …………………………………………………………. 18
6.8.1 ……………………………………………………………… 18
6.8.2 ……………………………………………………………… 18
6.8.3 ……………………………………………………………… 18
6.8.4 ……………………………………………………………… 18
7. Single mode Response Spectrum Method (orSeismic Coefficient Method) 19
7.1 Elastic Seismic Acceleration Coefficient ………………………………. 19
7.1.1 Fundamental Natural Period …………………………………….. 21
7.1.1.1 ……………………………………………………………… 22
7.2 Maximum Elastic Forces and Deformations ………………………….. 23
7.3 Design Seismic Force Resultants for Bridge Components …………. 23
8. Response Spectrum Method (Multi mode Method) ……………………….. 25
8.1 Elastic Seismic Acceleration Coefficient in Mode k………………….. 25
8.2 Inertia Force due to Mass of Bridge at Node j in Mode k ……………. 26
8.2.1 Seismic Mass Matrix …………………………………………………… 27
8.3 Maximum Elastic Forces and Deformations ………………………….. 27
8.3.1 ………………………………………………………………….. 28
8.4 Design Seismic Force Resultants in Bridge Components …………… 28
8.5 Multi-directional Shaking ………………………………………………… 29
9. Time History Method ………………………………………………………….. 29
9.1 Modeling of Bridge ………………………………………………………. 29
9.2 Analysis ………………………………………………………………… 29
9.3 Ground Motion ……………………………………………………………. 29
9.3.1 Scaling of Time Histories ……………………………………….... 29
9.3.2 Ground Motions for Two- and Three-Dimensional Analysis …. 29
9.4 Interpretation of Time History Analysis Results ………………………. 30
9.4.1 Linear Analysis …………………………………………………….. 30
9.4.2 Nonlinear Analysis ………………………………………………… 30
10. Pushover Analysis …………………………………………………………….. 30
11 Superstructure …………………………………………………………….. 30
11.1 …………………………………………………………….. 30
11.2 …………………………………………………………….. 30
11.3 …………………………………………………………….. 30
 11.3.1 - Vertical Hold-Down Devices …………………………………… 30
11.3.1.1 …………………………………………………………….. 31
11.3.1.2 …………………………………………………………….. 31
11.3.2 Horizontal Linkage Elements ……………………………......... 31
11.3.2.1 …………………………………………………………….. 31
11.3.2.2 …………………………………………………………….. 31
11.3.2.3 …………………………………………………………….. 31
11.3.2.4 ..…………………………………………………………… 31
12 Substructure ………………………………………………………......... 31
12.1 Scour Depth …………………………………………………………….. 31
12.2 Hydrodynamic Force …………………………………………………… 31
12.2.1 ……………………………………………………………… 31
12.2.2 ……………………………………………………………… 32
12.2.3 Analysis for vertical Acceleration ……………………………….. 33
12.3 Design Seismic Force ………………………………………………….. 33
12.3.1 Maximum Elastic Seismic Forces ………………………............ 34
12.3 Design Seismic Force …………………………………………….. 34
12.4 Substructure of Continuous Girder Superstructure ………………… 34
12.4.1 ………………………………………………………........... 34
12.4.2 ………………………………………………………........... 34
12.4.3 ………………………………………………………........... 34
13 Foundations ………………………………………………………........... 34
13.1 ………...………………………………………………………........... 34
13.2 ………………………………………………………………….......... 34
13.3 ………..………………………………………………………............ 35
14 Connections ………………………………………………………........... 35
14.1 Design Force for Connections ………………………………………... 35
14.1.1 Seismic Zone II and III …………………………………………... 35
14.1.2 Seismic Zone IV and V …………………………………………... 35
14.2 Displacements at Connections ……………………………………….. 35
14.3 Minimum Seating Width Requirements ……………………………… 35
15 Special Ductile Detailing Requirements for Bridges Substructures ……..... 37
16 Special Devices …………………………………………………………… 37
16.1 Seismic Isolation Devices ………………………………………………. 37
16.2 Shock Transmission Units ……………………………………………… 37
17 Bridges with Seismic Isolation ………………………………………………... 38
17.1 General ……………………………………………………………… 38
17.2 Design Criteria …………………………………………………………... 40
17.3 Analysis Procedure ……………………………………………………… 40
17.4 Requirements on Isolator Unit …………………………………………. 41
17.4.1 Non-seismic Lateral Forces …………………………………… 41
17.4.2 Lateral Restoring Force ………………………………………... 41
17.4.3 Vertical Load and Rotational Stability ………………………… 41
17.5 Tests on Isolation System ……………………………………………… 41
17.5.1 System Characterization Test ………………………………. 41
17.5.2 Prototype Test ………………………………………………… 41
17.5.3 ……………………………………………………………….. 41
17.5.4 ……………………………………………………………….. 41
17.5.5 ……………………………………………………………….. 42
17.5.6 ……………………………………………………………….. 42
17.5.7 ……………………………………………………………….. 43
17.5.8 ……………………………………………………………….. 43
17.6 System Adequacy ………………………………………………………. 43
17.7 Requirements for Elastomeric Bearings ………………………………. 44
17.7.1 Shear Strain Components for Isolation Design …………... 44
17.7.2 Load Combinations …………………………………………... 45
17.7.3 Construction Requirements ………………………………….. 45
18. Post-Earthquake Operation and Inspection ………………………………… 45
Appendix–(A) References …………………………………………………….. 46
Appendix–(B) Relevant Codes and Standards ……………………………... 47
Appendix–(C) Ductile Detailing Specifications ……………………………… 48
Appendix–(D) Zone Factors for Some Important Towns ………………….. 56
Appendix–(E) Pushover Analysis ……………………………………………. 58
Appendix–(F) Dynamic Earth Pressure ……………………………………... 61
Appendix–(G) Simplified Procedure for Evaluation of Liquefaction Potential 65
Appendix–(H) System property modification factors ……………………..... 76
Appendix–(J) Post Earthquake Operations and Inspections ………………. 80
1. Terminology
For the purpose of these guidelines, the following terms are defined

Base
The level at which inertia forces generated in the substructure and superstructure are transferred to
the foundation.
Centre of Mass
The point through which the resultant of the masses of a system acts. This point corresponds to the
center of gravity of the system.
Closely-Spaced Mode
Closely-Spaced modes of a structure are those of its natural modes of vibration whose natural
frequencies differ from each other by 10 percent or less of the lower frequency.
Critical Damping
The minimum damping above which free vibration motion is not oscillatory.
Damping
The effect of internal friction, imperfect elasticity of material, slipping, sliding, etc., in reducing the
amplitude of vibration and is expressed as a percentage of critical damping.
Design Acceleration Spectrum
Design acceleration spectrum refers to an average smoothened plot of maximum acceleration as a
function of natural frequency or time period of vibration for a specified damping ratio for Earthquake
excitations at the base of a single degree of freedom system.
Design Basis Earthquake (DBE)
It is the Earthquake which can reasonably be expected to occur at least once during the design Life of
the structure
Design Horizontal Acceleration Coefficient
It is a horizontal acceleration coefficient that shall be used to obtain design horizontal seismic force on
structures.
Design Seismic Force
The seismic force prescribed by this standard for each bridge component that shall be used in its
design. It is obtained as the maximum elastic seismic force divided by the appropriate response
reduction factor specified in this standard for each component.
Design Seismic Force Resultant (V)
The force resultant (namely axial force, shear force, bending moment or torsional moment) at a cross-
section of the bridge due to design seismic force for shaking along a considered direction applied on
the structure.
Ductility
Ductility of a structure, or its members, is the capacity to undergo large inelastic deformations without
significant loss of strength or stiffness.
Ductile Detailing
The preferred choice of location and amount of reinforcement in reinforced concrete structures to
provide for adequate ductility in them. In steel structures, it is the design of members and their
connections to make them adequately ductile.
Epicentre
The geographical point on the surface of the earth vertically above the focus of the earthquake.

2
Focus
The point inside earth on the fault where the slip starts that causes the earthquake.
Importance Factor (I)
A factor used to obtain the design seismic force depending on the importance of the structure.
Linear Elastic Analysis
Analysis of the structure considering linear properties of the material and load-versus deformation
characteristics of the different component of the structure.
Liquefaction
Liquefaction is the state in saturated cohesion less soil wherein the effective shear strength is reduced
to negligible value during an earthquake due to pore pressures caused by vibrations approaching the
total confining pressure. In this situation, the soil tends to behave like a fluid mass.
Magnitude
The magnitude of earthquake is a number which is a measure of energy released in an earthquake. It
is defined as logarithm to the base 10 of the maximum trace amplitude, expressed in microns, which
the standard short-period torsion seismometer would register due to the earthquake at an epicentral
distance of 100 km.
Maximum Considered Earthquake (MCE)
Maximum considered earthquake is the largest reasonably conceivable earthquake that appears
possible in the Earthquake Zone.

Maximum Elastic Force Resultant (Fenet)

The force resultant (namely axial force, shear force, bending moment or torsional moment) at a cross-
section of the bridge due to maximum elastic seismic force for shaking along a considered direction
applied on the structure.
Maximum Elastic Seismic Force (Fe)
The maximum force in the bridge component due to the expected seismic shaking in the considered
seismic zone.
Modal Mass (Mk)
Modal mass of structure subjected to horizontal or vertical ground motion is a part of total seismic
mass of the structure that is effective in mode k of vibration. The modal mass for a given mode has a
unique value irrespective of scaling of the mode shape.
Mode Shapes Coefficient (Φjk)
The spatial pattern of vibration when the structure is vibrating in its normal mode k is called as mode
shape of vibration of mode k. Φjk is coefficient for jth node in kth mode.
Natural Period
Natural period of a structure is its time period of undamped vibration.
(a) Fundamental Natural Period: It is the highest modal time period of vibration along the considered
direction of earthquake motion.
(b) Modal Natural Period: The modal natural period of mode k is the time period of vibration in mode k.
Normal Mode
Mode of vibration at which all its masses attain maximum values of displacements and rotations
simultaneously, and they also pass through equilibrium positions simultaneously.
Over strength
Strength considering all factors that may cause an increase, e.g., steel strength being higher than the
specified characteristic strength, effect of strain hardening in steel with large strains, and concrete
strength being higher than specified characteristic value.

3
P- Δ Effect
IT is the secondary effect on shears and moments of frame members due to action of the vertical loads,
interacting with the lateral displacement of structure resulting from seismic forces.
Response Spectrum Acceleration Coefficient (Sa/g)
It is factor denoting the design acceleration spectrum of the structure subjected to earthquake ground
motion, and depends on natural period of vibration and damping of structures.
Response Reduction Factor (R)
The factor by which the actual lateral force, that would be generated if the structure were to remain
elastic during the most severe shaking that is likely at that site, shall be reduced to obtain the design
lateral force.
Response Spectrum
It is a representation of the maximum response of idealized single degree of freedom systems of
different periods for a fixed value of damping, during that earthquake. The maximum response is
plotted against the undamped natural period and for various damping values, and can be expressed
in terms of maximum absolute acceleration, maximum relative velocity or maximum relative
displacement.
Restrainer
A steel rod, steel cable, rubber-impregnated chain, or similar device that prevents a superstructure
from becoming unseated during an earthquake.
Seismic Mass
Seismic weight divided by acceleration due to gravity.
Seismic Weight (W)
Total dead load plus part of live load.
Skew
The angle between the centerline of the superstructure and a horizontal line perpendicular to the
abutments or bents.
Soil Profile Factor
A factor used to obtain the elastic acceleration spectrum depending on the soil profile underneath the
structure at the site.
Strength
The usable capacity of a structure or its members to resist the applied loads.
Stiffness of Piers
The force required to produce unit deformation in the pier under a lateral load applied at its top.
Substructure
Elements such as piers, abutments, and foundations that support the superstructure.
Superstructure
The bridge elements supported by the substructure.
Zone Factor (Z)
It is a reasonable estimate of effective peak ground acceleration for the Maximum Considered
Earthquake (MCE) in the Earthquake Zone. “Z/2” is the effective peak ground acceleration of Design
Basis Earthquake (DBE). “Z/2” is multiplied by the Response acceleration coefficient S a/g to obtain
design response spectrum.

4
2. Symbols
a Structural width in the direction of hydrodynamic pressure
A Elastic seismic acceleration coefficient
Ao Sectional area of the substructure
 2
Ac Area of the concrete core  Dk
4
Ag Gross area of the column cross section

Ak Elastic seismic acceleration coefficient of mode

As per APPENDIX C, Area of confined core concrete in the rectangular hoop measure to its
Ar
outer side dimensions
Ash Area of cross-section of circular hoop
B Structural width perpendicular to hydrodynamic pressure
Bonded plan dimension or bonded diameter in loaded direction of rectangular bearing or
B
diameter of circular bearing,
BI Damping coefficient (Table -10)
Ce Hydrodynamic force coefficient
Cj Fraction of missing mass for jth mode.
C1, C2, C3,
Pressure coefficients to estimate flow load due to stream on the substructure
C4
Dk Diameter of core measured to the outside of the spiral or hoops
di Thickness of any layer
Ec Modulus of elasticity of concrete
EDC Energy dissipated per cycle ( Figure – 10 )
Ex,Ey Earthquake force in x-and y-direction respectively
Es Modulus of elasticity of steel
F Hydrodynamic force on substructure; (also, Horizontal force in kN applied at center of mass
of superstructure for one mm horizontal deflection of bridge along considered direction of
horizontal force)
Fe Inertia force due to mass of a bridge component under earthquake shaking along a direction
F missing
Lateral force associated with missing mass
fck Characteristic strength of concrete at 28 days in MPa.
fy Yield stress of steel

F  k
e Inertia force vector due to mass of bridge under earthquake shaking along a direction in
mode k
Fp Maximum Positive force
Fn Maximum Negative force
e
Fnet Maximum elastic force resultants at a cross-section due to all modes considered

5
 Fmax Maximum force
Fy Yield Force
g Acceleration due to gravity
h Longer dimension of the rectangular confining hoop measured to its outer face
Hp Height of Pier
I Importance Factor
K Bulk modulus of elastomer
Kd , Ku& Post – elastic stiffness, Elastic (unloading ) stiffness , Effective stiffness resp.
Keff ( Clause 17.1 and Figure – 10 )

K ie Smaller effective stiffness

K ej larger effective stiffness

L Length (in meters) of the superstructure to the adjacent expansion joint or to the end of
superstructure. In case of bearings under suspended spans, it is sum of the lengths of the
two adjacent portions of the superstructure. In case of single span bridges, it is equal to the
length of the superstructure
m Number of modes of vibration considered
mj Total mass of the jth mode
[m] Seismic mass matrix of the bridge structure
My Moment Capacity of the column/pier section at the first yield of the reinforcing steel

M 0
Sum of the over strength moment capacities of the hinges resisting lateral loads

N Average SPT value of the soil profile

Ni Standard penetration resistance of layer i

Pk Modal participation factor of mode k of vibration

pb Pressure due to fluid on submerged superstructures

Qd Characteristic strength
R Response Reduction Factor
Force resultants due to full design seismic force along two principal horizontal directions
r1,r2 ,r3 and along the vertical direction, respectively
S Pitch of spiral or spacing of hoops

Sa
Bridge flexibility factor along the considered direction
g
 Sa 
  Bridge flexibility factor of mode k of vibration
 g k
ti Thickness of ith layer

6
 T1 Fundamental natural period of vibration of bridge in considered direction

Tk Natural Period of Vibration of mode k

Tr Total elastomer thickness

u s  Displacement at position s caused in the acting direction of inertial force when the force
corresponding to the weight of the superstructure and substructure above the ground
surface for seismic design is assumed to act in the acting direction of inertial force
V Lateral Shear Force
Ve Maximum elastic force resultant at a cross-section of a bridge component
Vnet Design seismic force resultant in any component of the bridge due to all modes considered
W Seismic weight, which includes full dead load and part live load
Wb,W1,W2 Widths of seating at bearing supports at expansion ends of girders.
We Weight of water in a hypothetical enveloping cylinder around a substructure
Z Seismic zone factor

1 Vector consisting of unity (one) associated with translational degrees of freedom in the
considered direction of shaking, and zero associated with all other degrees of freedom
 Displacement at the acting position of inertial force of the superstructures when the force
corresponding to 80% of the weight of the substructure above the ground surface for
seismic design and all weight of the superstructure portion supported by it is assumed to
act in the acting direction of inertial force (m)
p Maximum positive displacement
n Maximum negative displacement
max Maximum bearing displacement ( Figure 10)
Y yield displacement
Additional vertical load due to seismic overturning effects, base on peak response under the
Fed
design seismic action

 Ratio of natural frequencies of modes i and j, Also equivalent damping ratio ( Sec.17.5.8)

 k  Mode shape vector of the bridge in mode k of vibration

 jk Mode shape coefficient for jth, degree of freedom in kth mode of vibration

y Yield Curvature

 Net response due to all modes considered

k Response in mode k of vibration

missing Maximum response of missing mass

7
3. Introduction
The present guidelines deal with the seismic design of new Railway bridgesand these may
not be used for seismic evaluation of existing bridges. Bridges and portions thereof shall be
designed and constructed, to resist the effects of design seismic force specified in these guidelines
as a minimum. The design approach adopted is to ensure that structure possess at least a
minimum strength to withstand a minor earthquake (<DBE), which occur frequently, without
damage; resist moderate earthquake (DBE) without significant structural damage though some
damage may occur; and aims that structure withstand a major earthquake without collapse. Actual
forces that appear on the bridges during an earthquake are much greater than the design forces
specified in here.
However, ductility, arising from inelastic material behaviour and detailing, and overstrength,
arising from the additional reserve strength in structures over and above the design strength are
relied upon to account for this difference in actual and design lateral loads.

4. General Principles
4.1Ground Motion
The characteristics (intensity, duration, etc.,) of seismic ground vibrations expected at any
location depends upon the magnitude of earthquake, the depth of focus, distance from the
epicentre, characteristics of the path through which the seismic waves travel, and the soil strata on
which the structure stands. The random ground motions, which cause the structures to vibrate, can
be resolved in any three mutually perpendicular directions. Generally, two horizontal and one
vertical component of ground motion is considered. The predominant direction of ground vibration
is usually horizontal.
4.2 The reinforced and prestressed concrete components shall be under-reinforced soas to
cause a ductile failure. Further, they should be designed to ensure that premature failure due to
shear or bond does not occur. Stresses induced in the superstructure due to earthquake induced
ground motion are usually quite nominal. Therefore, ductility demand under seismic shaking has
not been a major concern in bridge superstructures during past earthquakes. However, the seismic
response of bridges is critically dependent on the ductile characteristics of the substructures.
Provisions for appropriate ductile detailing of reinforced concrete members given in Appendix – C
shall be applicable to substructures. Bridges shall be designed such that under severe seismic
shaking plastic hinges form in the substructure, rather than in the deck or the foundation.
4.3 Masonry and plain concrete arch bridges with spans more than 12 m shall not be built in the
seismic zones IV and V.
4.4Box and pipe culverts need not be analysed for seismic forces.
4.5Following bridges need not be analysed for seismic forces:
(a) In Zones II & III, bridges with overall length less than 60m or spans less than 15m
(b) Single span bridges upto 30m span
However, these bridges shall be provided with:
i. The minimum seating width as per Clause 14.3
ii. The connections in the restrained direction between superstructure and substructure
shall be designed for elastic seismic force from superstructure.

8
4.6 For specific cases of bridges, some additional studies/analysis should be required, which are
described in Table 1.
Table 1 - Cases Requiring Special Studies/Analysis

Sr. Cases in which additional special

Special studies/analysis
No. studies/analysis is required

1. In zone IV and V, bridges with Modelling of the bridge including geometrical

individual span length more than 120 nonlinearity, P-delta effect and soil-structure
m and/or pier height is more than 30 interaction is needed.
m. Pushover analysis may be done to ascertain
the energy dissipation characteristics of
ductile members. (Details given in APPENDIX
E)

2. Continuous deck bridge of length Spatial variation of ground motion shall be

larger than 600 m considered.

Geological discontinuity exists at the Spatial variation of ground motion shall be

3.
site considered.

4. Bridge site close to a fault (< 10 km) Site specific spectrum shall be obtained. Else,
which may be active. near source modifications as per Clause 6.1
and 6.8.4 shall be done. Specialist literature
shall be required to obtain site specific
spectrum.
If bridge is crossing the fault, detailed
geological studies shall be performed to
estimate past movements across the fault.
Bridge to be designed so as to withstand the
expected fault displacements. Help from
geological / seismological persons with
enough experience will be required to
calculate fault movement.

5. In zone IV and V, if the soil condition Site specific spectrum shall be obtained.
is poor, consisting of marine clay or
loose sand (e.g., where the soil up to
30m depth has average
SPT N value equal to or less than 20)

6. Site with loose sand or poorly graded Liquefaction analysis is required (Details given
sands with little or no fines. Liquefiable in APPENDIX G). Liquefaction is the act or
soil. process of transforming any substance into a
liquid state. In non -cohesive soils it is the
transformation of the soil in the solid state to
the liquefied state due to the increase in the

9
 pore pressure and the consequent reduction
in the effective stress.
4.7 Assumptions
The following assumptions are made in the earthquake-resistant design of bridges:
a) Earthquake causes impulsive ground motions, which are complex and random in character, changing
in period and amplitude, and each lasting for a small duration. Therefore, resonance of the type as
visualized under steady-state sinusoidal excitations will not occur, as it would need time to build up
such amplitudes.
Note: However, there are exceptions where resonance-like conditions have been seen to occur
between long distance waves and tall structures founded on deep soft soils.

b) Earthquake is not likely to occur simultaneously with wind or maximum flood or maximum sea waves.
Similarly, earthquake motion need not be considered to occur simultaneously with other extreme
environmental conditions such as thermal, which have low probability of occurrences.
c) The value of elastic modulus of materials, wherever required, may be taken as for static analysis
unless a more definite value is available for use in dynamic conditions.

5. Conceptual Considerations
Conceptual design suggestions in terms of preferred configuration, superstructure, substructure and
ground conditions are given in Table below, along with the non-preferred types, for which special design
and detailing are required. These considerations shall be followed as much as practically possible and a
balance shall be maintained between functional requirements, cost and seismic resistance features.
Seismically preferred and not Preferred Aspects of Bridges

Seismically preferred Seismically not preferred

1.0 Straight bridge alignment Curved bridge alignment
1.1 Normal piers Skewed piers
1.2 Uniform pier stiffness Varying pier stiffness
1.3 Uniform span stiffness Varying span stiffness
1.4 Uniform span mass Varying span mass
2.0 Superstructure
2.1 a) Simply supported spans Continuous spans
b) Integral bridges
2.2 Short spans Long spans
2.3 Light spans Heavy spans
2.4 No intermediate hinges within span Intermediate hinges
3.0 Substructure
3.1 Wide seats Narrow seats
3.2 Multiple column Single column
4.0 Ground conditions
4.1 Stiff, Stable soil Unstable soil

10
11
6. Design Criteria
6.1 Seismic Zone Map
For the purpose of determining design seismic forces, the country is classified into four
seismic zones. A seismic zone map of India is shown in Fig. 1. The peak ground acceleration
(PGA) (or zero period acceleration, ZPA), associated with each zone, is called zone factor, Z. The
zone factor is given in Table 3. Zone factors for some important towns are given in Appendix D

Table 3 - Zone Factor Z for Horizontal Motion

Seismic
II III IV V
Zone

Z 0.10 0.16 0.24 0.36

Note: Near Source Effect

For bridges which are within a distance of 10 km from a known active fault, seismic hazard
shall be specified after detailed geological study of the fault and the site condition. In absence of
such detailed investigation, the near-source modification in the form of 20% increase in zone factor
may be used.

6.2 - Importance Factor

The values of importance factor I, for different bridges are given in Table 4. The importance
factor reflects strategic importance of the route and functionality of the bridge in the post-
earthquake period.

Table 4
Category Importance Factor Bridges included

Category I 1.5 i) All important bridges irrespective of route.

Bridge ii) Major bridges on group A, B and C routes.
(For route classification see IRPW Manual)

Category II 1.25 i) Major bridges on all other routes.

Bridge ii) All other bridges on group A, B and C routes.

Other Bridge 1.0 All other bridges

12
Fig. 1 Seismic zone map of India

13
6.3 Methods of Calculating Design Seismic Force
6.3.1The seismic forces for bridges shall be generally estimated by Seismic Coefficient Method
(Single Mode Method using response spectrum) described in Section 7.0. Response Spectrum
Method (Multi Mode Method) described in Section 8 shall be used in zones IV and V in following
cases:
(a) Irregular bridge as defined in section 6.3.5.2
(b) Individual span more than 80m
(c) Continuous bridge
(d) Height of top of pier / abutment from the base of foundation is more than 30m.

6.3.2 The Time History method described in Section 9.0 shall be used in following cases:
(i) To verify the result of Response Spectrum Method for irregular bridges in zone IV, and
V.
(ii) Bridges with special devices like Shock Transmission Units (STU), and seismic
isolation devices, time history method is mandatory.

6.3.3 The Pushover analysis described in Section 10.0 may be used to ascertain the nonlinear load
carrying capacity and ductility of pier with more than 50 m height from the base of foundation and
individual span more than 120 m.

6.3.4 For applying seismic forces obtained using Seismic Coefficient Method or Response
Spectrum Method and for applying earthquake ground motion in Time History Method (THM), the
mathematical model of bridges shall be used. This model shall appropriately model the stiffness of
superstructure, bearings, piers and bridge ends. Analysis of bridge model under dead load, live
load and seismic loads gives bending moment, shear and axial forces in various bridge
components.

6.3.5 Regular and Irregular Bridges

6.3.5.1Regular Bridge
A regular bridge has no abrupt or unusual changes in mass, stiffness or geometry along its span
and has no large differences in these parameters between adjacent supports (abutments
excluded). A bridge shall be considered regular for the purposes of this guidelines, if
(a) It is straight or it describes a sector of an arc which subtends an angle less than 900 at
the center of the arc, and
(b) The adjacent piers do not differ in stiffness by more than 25%. (Percentage difference shall
be calculated based on the lesser of the two stiffness’s as reference).
(c) If multi-column piers are used then the stiffness of the stiffest columns within piers shall
not be 25% more than the stiffness of the most flexible column in that pier.
6.3.5.2 Irregular Bridge
All bridges not conforming to Clause 6.3.5.1 shall be considered irregular. Further, arch
bridges of span exceeding 30m, cable stayed bridges, suspension bridges, and other innovative
bridge forms shall also be treated as irregular bridges.

14
6.4 Seismic Weight and Live Load
6.4.1 Seismic Weight
The seismic weight of the superstructure shall be taken as its full dead load plus appropriate
amount of live load. The seismic weight of the substructure and of the foundation shall be their
respective full dead load. Buoyancy and uplift shall be ignored in the calculation of seismic weight.
Note– In the Seismic Coefficient Method (Clause 7.0), for simply supported regular bridges,
single degree of freedom (SDOF) model is used to obtain time period and in this model only 80%
of pier weight is considered in the seismic weight of Pier (for calculating forces within piers and
foundations). The forces within the superstructure shall be calculated only for the seismic mass of
the superstructure components and shall not include any mass from Piers/ Substructure.
6.4.2 Live load in seismic weight
(i) No live load (train load) shall be considered while calculating horizontal seismic forces
along the direction of traffic (Longitudinal direction).
(ii) The horizontal seismic forces in the direction perpendicular to traffic (transverse
direction) shall be calculated using 50 percent live load (excluding impact effect).
(iii) The vertical seismic force shall be calculatedusing50percentlive load (excluding impact
effect).
6.4.3 Seismic Mass
The seismic mass of a bridge component is its seismic weight divided by the acceleration due to
gravity.Generally, analysis for horizontal seismic forces is adequate. When vertical motion is to be
considered, the design seismic forces shall be combined as per clause 6.5.3.

6.5 Combination of Seismic Components

The seismic forces shall be assumed to act in any direction. For design purpose, the analysis is
done for earthquake motion in two orthogonal horizontal directions and one vertical direction.

6.5.1 For regular bridges, the two orthogonal horizontal directions are usually the longitudinal and
transverse direction of the bridges (Fig 2a). For such bridges analysis shall be done for seismic
forces in longitudinal and transverse directions. The seismic force resultants (Bending Moment,
Shear Force and Axial Force) at any component obtained from the analysis in longitudinal and
transverse directions shall be considered separately.

y
X Y
My x
My

X Y
Mx Mx

Fig 2 A: Seismic forces for straight bridge (Clause 6.5.1)

MyX= Bending Moment in y-direction when force is applied in X Direction

15
 M X=
x Bending Moment in x-direction when force is applied in X Direction
MY =
y Bending Moment in y-direction when force is applied in Y Direction
MY
x = Bending Moment in x-direction when force is applied in Y Direction

For Straight Bridge, MyX and MYx are zero.

6.5.2 For irregular bridges, particularly, skew bridge (Fig. 2b), design seismic force resultants
shall be obtained along x-and y-direction. The design seismic force resultant (Bending Moment,
Shear Force and Axial Force) at any component shall be obtained as follows:
(a) ±r1±0.3r2
(b) ±0.3r1±r2
where
r1= Force resultant due to full design seismic force along x direction,

r2= Force resultant due to full design seismic force along y direction.

Bridge Plan Global X-Y axes

Y xx

Y
X M x
M y X Y
M x
M y

x x
y
y

( Local x - x and y-y axes)

Fig. 2 b: Combination of orthogonal seismic forces for Skew Bridge (Clause 6.5.2).

Design Seismic Force Resultant for Bending Moment

Moments for ground motion Moments for ground motion

along X-axis along Y-axis

M x  M xX  0.3M xY M y  M yX  0.3M Yy
Design
Moments
M x  0.3M xX  M xY M y  0.3M yX  M Yy

Where, Mx and My are absolute moments about local axes.

16
6.5.3 When vertical seismic forces are also considered, (Clause 6.8.1), then for regular bridges,
the design seismic force resultants shall be obtained for the X-, Y- and Z-direction separately. For
irregular bridges, the design seismic force resultant at any component shall be computed as
follows:
(a) ±r1±0.3r2 ±0.3r3

(b) ±0.3r1±r2 ±0.3r3

(c) ±0.3r1±0.3r2 ±r3

Where r1 and r2 are as defined in Clause 6.5.2,and r3 is the force resultant due to full design
seismic force along the vertical or z-direction direction.

6.5.4 As an alternative to the procedure in 6.5.2 and 6.5.3, the forces due to the combined effect
of two or three components can be obtained on the basis of ‘square root of sum of square (SRSS)
that is

r12  r22 or r12  r22  r32

Where r1,r2andr3are as defined in Clause 6.5.2 or 6.5.3.

6.6 Damping and soil Properties

6.6.1 Damping
In general, 5% damping shall be considered.
6.6.1.1 If well foundation is used, then 10% damping shall be used.
6.6.1.2 In case the guard rails are effectively provided, on single span of bridge up to 30 m overall
length, 10 % damping in longitudinal direction can be considered. However, in the transverse
direction damping will not change.
6.6.2 Increase in Allowable Pressure in Soils
When earthquake force is included then allowable pressure in soil and rock shall be increased
as stipulated in Table 5. Bearing pressure for foundation and pile capacity shall be determined by
working stress method only.
6.6.3The values for allowable bearing pressure in soil given in Table 5 applies to the upper 30m
of the soil profile. Profiles containing distinctly different soil layers shall be subdivided into layers,
each designated by a number that ranges from 1 (at the top) to n (at the bottom), where there are
a total of n layers in the upper 30 meters, and a weighted average will be obtained as follows:
n

d i
N i 1
n
di
N
i 1 i

n
where d
i 1
i is equal to 30 m, Ni is the standard penetration resistance of layer i, not to

exceed 100 blows per 300 mm as directly measured in the field without correcting, and di is the
thickness of any layer i between 0 and 30m.
17
6.6.4 Soil Structure Interaction
Soil flexibility should be considered in the seismic analysis of bridges, whenever deemed
necessary. This is particularly important for foundations in soft soil conditions and in cases where deep
foundations are used. Soil flexibility leads to longer natural period and hence lowers seismic forces,
however, on the other hand, it results in larger lateral deflections. Soil parameters, like, elastic
properties and spring constants shall be properly estimated. In many cases, one gets a range of values
for soil properties. In such cases, the highest values of soil stiffness shall be used for calculating the
natural period and seismic forces, and lowest value shall be used for calculating the deflection.

Table 5 – Percentage of Permissible Increase in Allowable Bearing Pressure or

Resistance of Soils
S. Type of soil Mainly Constituting the Foundation
No. Foundation

Type I Rock or Hard Soil Type II Stiff Soil Type III Soft Soils

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)

Piles passing through any soil but

i) 50 50 --
resting on soil type I

ii) Piles not covered under item i -- 25 --

iii) Raft foundations 50 50 --

Combined isolated RCC footing

iv) 50 25 --
with tie beams

Isolated RCC footing without tie

v) beams, or unreinforced strip 50 25 --
foundations.

vi) Well foundation 50 25 --

NOTES
1. The allowable bearing pressure shall be determined in accordance with IS 6403 or IS 1888.
2. If any increase in bearing pressure has already been permitted for forces other than seismic forces, the total
increase in allowable bearing pressure when seismic force is also included shall not exceed the limits specified
above.
3. Desirable minimum field values of N- If soils of smaller N-values are met, compacting may be adopted to achieve
these values or deep pile foundations going to stronger strata should be used.

Depth below Ground

Seismic Zone Level N-Values Remarks
(in meters)

≤5 15
III, IV and V
≥ 10 20 For values of depths between
5m and 10m, linear interpolation
II (for important ≤5 15 is recommended.
bridges only) ≥ 10 20

4. The values of N (uncorrected values) are at the founding level and the allowable bearing pressure shall be
determined in accordance with IS 6403 or IS 1888.
5. The piles should be designed for lateral loads neglecting lateral resistance of soil layers liable to liquefy.
6. IS 1498 and IS 2131 may also be referred.

18
 Type of Soil

Soil Type Definition

 Well graded gravel (GW) or well graded sand (SW) both with less than 5%
passing 75 μm sieve (Fines);
 Well graded Gravel – Sand mixtures with or without fines (GW-SW);
Type I: Rock or Hard Soils  Poorly graded Sand (SP) or clayey sand (SC), all having N above 30;
 Stiff to hard clays having N above 16, where N is the Standard Penetration
Test value.

 Poorly graded sands or Poorly graded sands with gravel (SP) with little or
no fines having N between 10 and 30;
Type II: Stiff Soils
 Stiff to medium stiff fine-grained soils, like Silts of Low compressibility (ML)
or Clays of Low Compressibility (CL) having N between 10 and 16.

All soft soils other than SP with N<10. The various possible soils are
 Silts of Intermediate compressibility (MI);
 Silts of High compressibility (MH);
 Clays of Intermediate compressibility (CI);
Type III: Soft Soils
 Clays of High compressibility (CH);
 Silts and Clays of Intermediate to High compressibility (MI-MH or CI-CH);
 Silt with Clay of Intermediate compressibility (MI-CI);
 Silt with Clay of High compressibility (MH-CH).

6.7 Combination of Seismic Design Forces with Other Forces

The design seismic force resultant at a cross-section of a bridge component shall be appropriately
combined with those due to other forces as per Table 12 of IRS Concrete Bridge Code (reprint 2014).
However, in lieu of combination 2 of Clause 11.0 of IRS Concrete Bridge Code, following load
combinations shall be used:
(A) Ultimate limit state design
1) 1.25DL + 1.5 DL(S) +1.5EQ + 1.4 PS+ 1.7 EP
2) 1.25DL + 1.5DL(S) + 0.5(LL + LL (F)) + 1.2EQ+ 1.7 EP + 1.4PS + 1. 4HY + 1.4BO
3) 0.9DL + 0.8DL(S) + 1.5EQ + 1.4 PS + 1.7 EP
(B) Serviceability Limit State
1) 1.0 DL+1.2 DL(S) +1.0 EQ + 1.0 EP + 1.0PS + 1.0HY+ 1.0BO
2) 1.0 DL + 1.2 DL(S)+0.5(LL+LL(F))+1.0EQ + 1.0 EP + 1.0PS + 1.0HY + 1.0 BY
(C) During the construction stage, following load combination shall be used:
1.0DL + 1.2DL(S) + 0.8EQ + 1.0ER + 1.3EP + 1.0PS + 1.0HY + 1.0BO
Where,
DL = dead load,
DL(S) = superimposed dead load,
LL = live load, The live load (LL) includes impact effect, longitudinal forces (tractive and braking), and
centrifugal force.
LL (F) = live load on footpath,
19
 EQ = earthquake load,
EP = earth pressure,
ER = erection load such as cranes, machines etc.
PS = prestressing load,
HY = hydrodynamic load, BO = buoyancy load,
SH = shrinkage load,
CR = creep load,
TE = temperature load.
6.8 Vertical Motions
The seismic zone factor for vertical ground motions, when required (as explained below),
may be taken as two-thirds of that for horizontal motions given in Table 3.
6.8.1-. In zone IV and V the effects of vertical component shall be considered for all
elements of the bridge.The effect of the vertical seismic component may be omitted for all
elements in zones II and III, except for the following cases,
a. Prestressed concrete girders / Composite girders.
b. Bearings, hold down devices, and linkages.
c. Horizontal cantilever structural elements such as cantilevers of deck slabs and cantilever
bridges.
d. Situations where stability (overturning /sliding) becomes critical.
e. Bridge sites located near fault.
6.8.2-For superstructure with span up to 80 m, the effect of vertical motion can be considered by
analysing the superstructure for 25% additional dead weight in upward and downward direction.
6.8.3- For superstructure with span more than 80m, analysis for vertical ground motion shall be
done.
Such analysis requires time period of superstructure in vertical direction. Time period for the
superstructure has to be worked out separately using the property of the superstructure, in order
to estimate the seismic acceleration coefficient (Sa/g) for vertical acceleration. It can be done by
free vibration analysis of superstructure using standard structural analysis software. However, for
simply supported superstructure with uniform flexural rigidity, the fundamental time period T v, for
vertical motion can be estimated using the expression

2 m
Tv  L2
 EI
Where L is the span, m is the mass per unit length, and EI is the flexural rigidity of the
superstructure.
When ultimate limit state is used, effective flexure rigidity equal to 50% of gross flexural rigidity
shall be taken for concrete superstructure (RCC and Prestressed girders and slabs).
6.8.4For locations, within 10 km of active fault, seismic zone factor for vertical ground motion may
be taken as equal to that for horizontal motion. (Which shall include the 20% increase in horizontal
PGA as per Clause 6.1).

20
7. Single mode Response Spectrum Method (or Seismic Coefficient Method)
The method can be employed by using the following step-wise procedure:
a) Obtain the horizontal elastic acceleration coefficient due to design earthquake, which is same
for all components. (Clause 7.1)
b) Obtain the seismic weight of each component. (Clause 6.4)
c) Obtain the seismic inertia forces generated in each component by multiplying quantities in (a)
and (b) above. (Clause 7.2.1)
d) Apply these inertia forces generated in each of the components at the center of mass of the
corresponding component, and conduct a linear elastic analysis of the entire bridge structure
to obtain the stress resultants at each cross-section of interest.
e) Obtain the design stress resultants in any component by dividing the maximum elastic stress
resultants obtained in (d) above by the response reduction factor prescribed for that
component. (Clause 7.3)
7.1 Elastic Seismic Acceleration Coefficient
The Elastic Seismic Acceleration Coefficient Ah due to design earthquake along a
considered direction shall be obtained as
Z S
Ah  I a
2 g
Where,
Z = Zone Factor, given in Table 3, is for the Maximum Considered Earthquake (MCE) and
service life of structure in a zone. The Factor 2 in the denominator of Z is used so as to reduce
Maximum considered earthquake (MCE) zone factor to the factor of Design Basis Earthquake
(DBE)
I = Importance Factor, given in Table 4,
Sa
= Response Spectrum Acceleration Coefficient along the considered direction given as
g
follows:
For rocky, or hard soil sites (Type I)

Sa 2.50 T<0.40
 1.00/T 0.40<T<3.00
g 0.33 T>3.00

For medium soil sites (Type II)

Sa 2.50 T<0.55
 1.36/T 0.55<T<3.00
g
0.45 T>3.00

For soft soil sites (Type III)

2.50 T<0.67
Sa
 1.67/T 0.67<T<3.00
g 0.56 T>3.00
21
T = Fundamental natural period of the bridge along the considered direction.
The soil types are described in Table 5.

sa
A plot of g is given in Fig.3 for 5% damping. For other damping values, the multiplying

factors are given in Table 6.

Fig. 3 Response Spectrum for 5% damping for Seismic Coefficient Method (Clause 7.0)

Table 6 Multiplying Factors for Other Damping percentages

Damping
2 5 10
%

Factor 1.4 1.0 0.8

Application Prestressed Concrete, Steel Reinforced Concrete Retrofitting of old

and Composite steel elements elements bridges with RC piers

22
7.1.1 Fundamental Natural Period

Fundamental time period of the bridge member is to be calculated by any rational method of
analysis.
The fundamental period can also be calculated by the method given below:
1) For simply supported bridges, the design vibration unit consists of one pier and a
superstructure portion supported by it (because each pier is supporting two half
superstructure units). The fundamental natural period T shall be calculated from the
following equation:

W
t2
1000F
W = Full Weight of the superstructure, 80% weight of substructure, and appropriate
amount of live load in kN.
F = Horizontal force in kN required to be applied at the centre of mass of superstructure
for one mm horizontal deflection at the top of pier/abutment for the earthquake in the
transverse direction, and the force to be applied at the top of the bearings for the
earthquake in the longitudinal direction.
2) For multi-span integral bridges (continuous bridges), the design vibration unit consists of a
number of substructures and superstructure portions supported by it (Fig. C-3c). The
fundamental natural period (T) shall be calculated by any suitable method. For example,
Rayleigh’s method may be used as follows:

T 2
 W (s)u(s) ds
2


 W (s)u(s)ds
W(s)=Weight of the superstructure and substructure at position s (kN)
u(s)= Displacement at position s caused in the acting direction of inertial force when the
force corresponding to the weight of the superstructure and substructure above the ground
surface for seismic design is assumed to act in the acting direction of inertial force.

Fig. C3a – Design vibration unit in longitudinal direction

Fig. C3b – Design vibration unit in transverse direction

In case of idealisation as SDOF, 80% of pier mass shall be lumped at the top of pier.

23
 In response spectrum analysis where free vibration analysis is carried out to obtain natural
time period, total weight of substructure is considered.

Continuous bridge; F = fixed and M = movable bearings

For transverse direction

For longitudinal direction

Fig. C-3c Design vibration unit for Continuous Bridge

Note - In general pier shall be considered fixed at the foundation level. However, in case of soft soil or deep
foundations, soil flexibility may be considered in the calculation of fundamental natural period as per the
Clause 6.6.4.

7.1.1.1For ultimate limit state, the cracked flexural stiffness of reinforced concrete pier shall be
used. The cracked flexural stiffness is the initial slope of the moment curvature (M) curve and is
given by
My
E c I eff 
y

where,
My is the moment capacity of the column/pier section at the first yield of the reinforcing steel, and
y is the yield curvature.

In the absence of more rigorous estimate, effective moment of inertia,Ieff, can be taken as 0.75
times gross moment of inertia, Ig.
7.2 Maximum Elastic Forces and Deformations
The inertia forces due to mass of each component or portion of the bridge as obtained from
Clause 7.2.1 shall be applied at the center of mass of the corresponding component or portion of
24
the bridge. A linear static analysis of the bridge shall be performed for these applied inertia forces
to obtain the force resultants (e.g., bending moment, shear force and axial force) and deformations
(e.g., displacements and rotations) at different locations in the bridge. The stress resultants Ve and
deformations so obtained are the maximum elastic force resultants (at the chosen cross-section of
the bridge component) and the maximum elastic deformations (at the chosen nodes in the bridge
structure), respectively.
Inertia Force Due to Mass of Each Bridge Component

The inertia force due to the mass of each bridge component (e.g., superstructure, substructure
and foundation) under earthquake ground shaking along any direction shall be obtained from

Fe = Ah W
where
Ah = Elastic Seismic Acceleration Coefficient along the considered direction of shaking
obtained as per Clause7.1, and
W = Seismic weight as discussed in Clause 6.4.

The part of foundation embedded below the scour level shall not be considered to
produce any seismic forces.

7.3 - Design Seismic Force Resultants for Bridge Components

The design seismic force resultant V at a cross section of a bridge component due to earthquake
shaking along a considered direction shall be given by

Ve
V 
R
Where,
Ve = Maximum elastic force resultant at the chosen cross-section of that bridge component
from Clause 7.2, and
R = Response Reduction Factor for the component as given in Table 7.

Response Reduction Factor shall not be applied for calculation of displacements

of Bridge Elements and for Bridge as a whole.

25
 Table 7: Response Reduction Factor R for Bridge Components and Connections

Bridge Component R with ductile R without ductile

detailing detailing
Superstructure N.A 2.0

Substructure

(i) Masonry/ PCC piers, Abutments NA 1.5

(ii)a RCC wall pier and abutments in transverse
NA 1
direction (where plastic hinge cannot develop)
(ii)b RCC wall piers and abutments in longitudinal
3.0 2.5
direction (where plastic hinge can develop)
(iii) RCC long piers where hinges can develop 4.0 2.5
(iv) Column (RCC or Steel) 4.0 2.5
Bearings 2.0 2.0
When connectors and stoppers are
Connectors and Stoppers (Reaction blocks) designed to withstand seismic forces
Those restraining dislodgement or drifting away of primarily, R value shall be taken as
bridge elements. 1.0.
When connectors and stoppers are
designed as additional safety
measures in the event of failure of
bearings, R value specified for
substructure above shall be used.

Note: 1) These parts of structural element of foundation which are not in contact with soil and
transferring load to it, are to be treated as part of substructure element.

2) In case of elastomeric bearings, the value of R for substructure shall be taken as half of
values given in Table 7.

3) For stability analysis of well foundation by conventional method seismic force can be further
reduced by a factor of 2.0.

26
8. Response Spectrum Method (Multi mode Method)
The Response Spectrum Method requires the evaluation of natural periods and mode shapes
of several modes of vibration of the structure. This method requires dynamic analysis, by a
competent structural engineer.

8.1 Elastic Seismic Acceleration Coefficient in Mode k

The elastic seismic acceleration coefficient Ak for mode k shall be determined by:

 I  S a / g  k
Z
Ak 
2
WhereZ and I are as defined in Clause 7.1, and period (Tk) of kth mode.

 Sa 
  is the seismic acceleration coefficient for mode k given by expression.
 g k
For rocky, or hard soil sites (Type I)

2.50 Tk< 0.40

 Sa 
  = 1.00/Tk 0.40 <Tk< 3.00
 g k 0.33 Tk> 3.00

For medium soil sites (Type II)

2.50 Tk< 0.55

 Sa  1.36/Tk 0.55 <Tk< 3.00
  =
 g k 0.45 Tk> 3.0

For soft soil sites (Type III)

2.50 Tk< 0.67

 Sa  0.67<Tk< 3.00
  = 1.67/Tk
 g k 0.56 Tk> 3.0

whereTk is the natural period of vibration of mode k of the bridge. For modes other than the
 Sa   Sa 
fundamental mode, the bridge flexibility factor   for Tk< 0.0.1 sec may be taken as   =
 g k  g k
1+15Tk
S 
A plot of  a  versus Tkis given in Fig. 4 for 5% damping. Table 6 gives the multiplying factors
 g k
for obtaining spectral values for various other damping percentages.

27
Fig. 4 Acceleration response spectrum for 5% damping to be used for response spectrum method

8.2 Inertia Force due to Mass of Bridge at Node j in Mode k

The effect of seismic shaking can be quantified as concentrated seismic inertia forces and
moment corresponding to the translational and rotational degrees of freedom, respectively, at each
node of the discretised model of the bridge structure (a typical discretised model is shown in Fig.
C3). Each mode of vibration contributes to these seismic inertia forces and moments. The
maximum elastic force at jth node in kth mode is given by

Fk j  m j k Pk Ak g

The force vector Fk   of maximum elastic inertia forces at different nodes in mode k of vibration
e

due to earthquake shaking along a considered direction shall be obtained as:

F  m P A g
k
e
k k k

[m]where = Seismic mass matrix of the bridge structure, as defined in Clause 8.2.1,

{k}= Mode shape vector of vibration mode k of the bridge structure obtained from free vibration
analysis,

28
 Pk = Modal participation factor of vibration mode k of the bridge structure for a given direction
of earthquake shaking

 k T m1

 k T m k 
Ak= Elastic seismic acceleration coefficient for mode k as defined in Clause 8.1,
g = Acceleration due to gravity, and
{1}= Vector consisting of unity (one) associated with translational degrees of freedom in the
considered direction of shaking, and zero associated with all other degrees of freedom.

Node

Element

Fig C3:- Mathematical Model of Bridge

8.2.1 Seismic Mass Matrix

The seismic mass matrix of the bridge structure shall be constructed by considering its seismic
mass lumped at the nodes of discretisation. The seismic mass of each bridge component shall
be estimated as per Clause 6.4, and shall be proportionally distributed to the nodes of
discretisation of that bridge component.

8.3 Maximum Elastic Forces and Deformations

The maximum elastic seismic forces in mode k obtained from Clause 8.2 shall be applied on the
bridge and a linear static analysis of the bridge shall be performed to evaluate the maximum
elastic force resultants Fke (e.g., bending moment, shear force and axial force) and the maximum
elastic deformations (e.g., displacements and rotations) in mode k at different locations (or nodes)
in the bridge for a considered direction of earthquake shaking.

The maximum elastic force resultants Fnete and the maximum elastic deformations, due to all
modes considered, for the considered direction of earthquake shaking, shall be obtained by
combining those due to the individual modes as follows:
(a) If the structure does not have closely-spaced modes, then the maximum response  due to
all modes considered may be estimated by the square root of sum of squares (SRSS) method
as:
m
   
2
k
k 1

Where,
k= Absolute value of response in mode k, and
m = Number of modes being considered
29
(b) If the structure has a few closely-spaced modes, then the maximum response () due to these
modes shall be obtained by the absolute sum method as:
r
*   c
c 1

where the summation is for the closely-spaced modes only. This maximum response due to
closely-spaced modes (*) is then combined with those of the remaining well-separated modes
by the square root of sum of square (SRSS) method in a) above.

8.3.1The number of modes to be considered in the analysis shall be such that at least 90% of the
total seismic mass of the structure is included in the calculations of response for earthquake
shaking along each principal direction. If modes with natural frequency beyond 33 Hz are to be
considered, modal combination (Clause 8.3 (a) and 8.3 (b)) shall be carried out only for modes
with natural frequency less than 33 Hz. Modes with natural frequency exceeding 33 Hz shall be
treated as rigid modes and accounted for through missing mass correction discussed below:

At degree of freedom j, the missing mass is given by

 n

C j m j  1   Pk  kj m j
 k 1 
Where
Pk= Modal participation factor for mode k,
φkj=Mode shape coefficient for jth, degree of
freedom in kth mode of vibration
mj= Total mass of the jth mode,
cj= Fraction of missing mass for jth mode.
Lateral force associated with missing mass is

Z 
F jmis sin g  c j m j  I 
2 
The structure will be statically analyzed for this set of lateral inertial forces and response missing
will be obtained. The response missing will be combined with response  for flexible modes by the
square root of sum of square (SRSS) method in a) above.

8.4 Design Seismic Force Resultants in Bridge Components

The design seismic force resultant Vnet at any cross-section in a bridge component for a considered
direction of earthquake shaking shall be determined as
Fnete
Vnet 
R
e
Where the maximum elastic force resultant Fnet due to all modes considered is as obtained in
Clause 8.3, and Response Reduction Factor R of that component of bridge is as per Table 7.
However, Response Reduction Factor shall not be applied for calculation of design displacements.

30
8.5 Multi-directional Shaking
When earthquake ground shaking is considered along more than one direction, the design seismic
force resultants obtained from Clause 7.3 or 8.4 at a cross-section of a bridge component due to
earthquake shaking in each considered direction, shall be combined as per Clause 6.5.

9. Time History Method

In Time History Method, dynamic analysis of bridge is carried out for specified earthquake ground
motion. In this method, dynamic response (i.e. response varying with time) is obtained.
9.1 Modelling of Bridge
In order to carryout time history analysis, a suitable mathematical model of the bridge shall be
developed. The model shall adequately represent the mass distribution and stiffness of
superstructure, bearings, pier, abutment and foundation. The damping characteristics shall also
be adequately included in the model. For analysis, mass of live load as per clause no 6.4.2 shall
be included in the model. The pier can be considered to be fixed at the foundation level.
9.2 Analysis
Analysis may be carried out using modal superposition method or direct numerical direction under
consideration. Time step to be used in the analysis shall be suitably chosen and sensitivity of the
solution to time step shall be ascertained.
9.3 Ground Motion
Ground acceleration time histories shall have characteristics that are representative of seismic
environment of the site and local site conditions. Time histories from actual recorded events with
similar magnitude, fault distance and local site condition shall be selected.
The ground motions selected shall have peak ground acceleration value of Z x I, where, Z is zone
factor and I is importance factor. At least three ground motions shall be used, and maximum
response of the three cases, shall be taken as design value. If more than seven time histories are
used, then, average response can be used as design value.
9.3.1Scaling of Time Histories
Time histories to be used in the analysis, shall be suitably scaled so as to match the design
response spectra. The response spectra of time history shall be matched with the design spectra
given by
S(T ) = γx ZI(Sa / g)
The matching shall be such that the average response spectra of the selected time histories shall
not be less than the above mentioned design spectra in the periods ranging from 0.2T and 1.5T,
where T is the fundamental time period of the bridge in the direction under consideration.
9.3.2 Ground Motions for Two- and Three-Dimensional Analysis
For 2-dimesional analysis, ground motion consists of horizontal acceleration time history in the
direction under consideration. If vertical ground motion is to be considered, then, vertical
acceleration time history is also used.
For 3-dimenstional analysis, ground motions consist of pairs of time histories of appropriate
components of horizontal accelerations. For each pair of horizontal acceleration time histories,
SRSS response spectrum shall be obtained. This SRSS response spectrum shall be scaled
suitably to match with the design response spectrum as described in Clause 9.3.1. If required the
vertical acceleration time history shall also be considered.

31
9.4 Interpretation of Time History Analysis Results

9.4.1 Linear Analysis

From the time history of the response quantity of a particular member, the maximum value will be
the design value. This maximum value shall be divided by 2R, where R is the response reduction
factor for that member.
9.4.2 Nonlinear Analysis
Nonlinear analysis is used for verifying if the provided strength is sufficient to accommodate the
expected inelastic deformation. For the nonlinear analysis, the bridge model shall include
nonlinear properties.
In the analysis, ground motions in two directions shall be applied simultaneously along with the
dead loads and other loads.
The results of nonlinear analysis shall not be divided by factor 2R.

10. Pushover Analysis

The design force is obtained by dividing the elastic force by R value. In some instances, mentioned
in Table.1 energy dissipating capacity may be ascertained by a push over analysis to ensure that
the required displacement demand is being met with. The details regarding push over analysis are
given in Appendix – E.

11. Superstructure
11.1The superstructure shall be designed for the design seismic forces specified in Clauses 7.0
or 8.0 along with the other appropriate loads.

The superstructure shall be designed for lesser of following forces:

a) Elastic seismic forces i.e. seismic forces with R= 1.0

b) Forces developed when over strength plastic moment hinges are formed in the
substructure, as described in Appendix C.

11.2 Under simultaneous action of horizontal and vertical accelerations, the superstructure shall
have a factor of safety of at least 1.5 against overturning. In this calculation, the forces to be
considered on the superstructure shall be the maximum elastic forces generated in the
superstructure, as calculated using Clauses 7.2 and 8.3.

11.3The superstructure shall be secured to the substructure in seismic zones IV and V, through
vertical hold-down device and anti-dislodging elements in horizontal direction as specified in
Clauses 11.3.1 and 11.3.2, respectively. These vertical hold-down devices and anti-dislodging
elements may also be used to secure the suspended spans, if any, with the restrained portions of
the superstructure. However, the frictional forces shall not be relied upon in the design of these
hold-down devices or anti-dislodging elements.

11.3.1 - Vertical Hold-Down Devices

“In Zone IV & V, vertical hold-down devices shall be provided at all supports where resulting vertical
seismic force opposes and exceeds 50% of the dead load reaction”.

32
11.3.1.1- Where vertical force U, due to the combined effect of maximum elastic horizontal and
vertical seismic forces, opposes and exceeds 50%, but is less than 100%, of the dead load reaction
D, the vertical hold-down device shall be designed for a minimum net upward force of 10% of the
downward dead load reaction that would be exerted if the span were simply supported.
11.3.1.2 - If the vertical force U, due to the combined effect of maximum horizontal and vertical
seismic forces, opposes and exceeds 100% of the dead load reaction D, then the device shall be
designed for a net upward force of 1.2(U-D); however, it shall not be less than 10% of the downward
dead load reaction that would be exerted if the span were simply supported.
11.3.2 Horizontal Linkage Elements
Horizontal linkage elements are anti-dislodging devices. Positive horizontal linkage elements (high
tensile wire strand ties, cables, and dampers) shall be provided between adjacent section of the
superstructure at supports and at expansion joints within a span.
11.3.2.1 – The linkage shall be designed for at least the elastic seismic horizontal coefficient times
the weight of the lighter of the two connected spans or parts of the structure.
11.3.2.2 - If the linkage is at locations where relative deformation are permitted in the design then,
sufficient slack must be allowed in the linkage so that linkages start functioning only when the
relative design displacement at the linkage is exceeded.
11.3.2.3 - “When linkages are provided at columns or piers, the linkage of each span may be
connected to the column or pier instead of the adjacent span. Alternatively, reactions blocks may
be provided as per sub-para 11.3.2.4
11.3.2.4- Reaction blocks (or seismic arrestors) when used as anti-dislodging elements shall be
designed for seismic force equal to 1.5 times the elastic seismic coefficient multiplied by tributary
weight of spans corresponding to that pier/abutment.

12. Substructure
12.1 Scour Depth
The scour to be considered for design shall be based on mean annual flood. In the absence of
detailed data the scour to be considered for design shall be 0.9 times the maximum design scour
depth. The maximum scour case may not be seismically governing design condition. Therefore,
the design under seismic loading must be checked for minimum scour depth condition as well,
where increased stiffness of foundation system can result in lower time periods and consequently
higher forces.
12.2 Hydrodynamic Force
12.2.1For the submerged portion of the pier, the total horizontal hydrodynamic force along the
direction of ground motion is given by
F=CeAhWe
where Ce is a coefficient given by Table 8, depending on the height of submergence of the pier
relative to that of the radius of a hypothetical enveloping cylinder (Fig. 5); and Ah is the elastic
seismic acceleration coefficient as per Clause 7.1 or 8.1; and We is the weight of the water in the
hypothetical enveloping cylinder. The pressure distribution due to hydrodynamic effect on pier is
given in Fig. 6; the coefficients C1, C2, C3 and C4 in Fig. 6 are given in Table 9.

33
12.2.2In response spectrum analysis, to account for hydrodynamic pressure, additional weight of
water shall be added over the submerged depth of pier. The weight of water to be added at a height
of 3/7H from the ground level, is given by:
3 bH p  b 
Wwp  W0 Ao 1  
4 a  4H 
for b/H<2.0

3 bH p  b 
Wwp  W0 Ao  0.7  
4 a  10H 
for 2.0<b/H<4.0

9 bH p
Wwp  W0 Ao
40 a
for 4.0 < b/H
where,
b = structural width perpendicular to hydrodynamic pressure,
a =structural width in the direction of hydrodynamic pressure,
Ao = sectional area of the substructure,
Wo= density of water,
Hp = pier height and
H = height of submerged portion of pier
Table - 8. Values of Ce

 Height of Submerged Portion (H) 

  1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0
 Radius of Enveloping Cylinder 
Ce .390 .575 .675 .730

Table - 9.Coefficients C2, C3 and C4 as a function of C1

C1 C2 C3 C4
0.1 0.410 0.026 0.9345
0.2 0.673 0.093 0.8712
0.3 0.832 0.184 0.8103
0.4 0.922 0.289 0.7515
0.5 0.970 0.403 0.6945
0.6 0.990 0.521 0.6390
0.8 0.999 0.760 0.5320
1.0 1.000 1.000 0.4286

34
Direction of
Seismic Shaking

Fig. 5:
Hypothetical Enveloping Cylinders to Estimate Hydrodynamic Forces on Substructures due to
Seismic Shaking (Clause 12.2)

C1H
C3F
C2pb (Resultant of pressure on shaded area
H up to depth C1H)

C4H Pb =1.2F/H
pb
Fig. 6: Hydrodynamic Pressure Distribution on the
Substructure due to Steam Flow (Clause 12.2.2)

12.2.3 Analysis for Vertical Acceleration

While carrying out the analysis for vertical acceleration, the added mass of water for hydrodynamic
effect shall not be considered.

12.3 Design Seismic Force

The design seismic forces for the substructure shall be obtained as the maximum elastic force on
it (as defined in Clause 12.3.1) divided by the appropriate response reduction factor given in Table
7.

35
12.3.1 Maximum Elastic Seismic Forces
The maximum elastic seismic force resultants at any cross-section of the substructure shall be
calculated considering the following forces:
(a) Maximum elastic seismic forces transferred from the superstructure to the top of the
substructure
(b) Maximum elastic seismic forces applied at its center of mass due to the substructure’s own
inertia forces. Reduction due to buoyancy shall be ignored in the calculation of seismic weight.
(c) Hydrodynamic forces acting on piers as per Clause 12.2, and
(d) Modification in earth-pressure due to earthquake acting on abutments as per Appendix F.

12.4 Substructure of Continuous Girder Superstructure

12.4.1 When the superstructure of a multi-span bridge consists of a single continuous girder resting
on a restrained bearing (in longitudinal direction) over one of the piers and on sliding bearings over
the other piers, the design seismic force at the top of the substructures along the longitudinal
direction of the bridge shall be taken as follows:
(a) For the pier supporting the restrained bearing, it shall be the full elastic seismic force
transmitted from the superstructure to the top of the pier in the longitudinal direction divided by
the appropriate response reduction factor, assuming no friction between the other sliding
bearings and the corresponding piers.
(b) For the other piers supporting the sliding bearings, it shall be the horizontal friction force
generated on the pier due to the superstructure resting on the pier considering the maximum
possible friction between the sliding bearings and the top of the pier.
12.4.2 In transverse direction, the seismic force from superstructure is to be transmitted to the
substructures in proportion to their lateral stiffness.
12.4.3 While considering the stability of the substructure, such as, wingwalls, abutments etc.,
against overturning, the minimum factor of safety shall be 1.5 under simultaneous action of
maximum elastic seismic forces in both horizontal and vertical directions during the earthquake.

13. Foundations
13.1 For design of foundation, the seismic loads should be taken as 1.25 times the forces
transmitted to it by substructure, so as to provide sufficient margin to cover the possible higher
forces transmitted by substructure arising out of its overstrength.
13.2 - Following factor of safety shall be adopted for seismic design of foundation under ultimate
condition:
Factor of safety against overturning - 1.5
Factor of safety against sliding - 1.25
Notes:
Note 1: No live load to be considered when the net effect has a stabilizing effect.
Note 2: Area under tension need not be checked provided above criteria for overturning and
sliding is satisfied.

36
13.3In loose sands or poorly graded sands with little or no fines, vibrations due to earthquake may
cause liquefaction or excessive total and differential settlements. In Zones IV and V, the founding
of bridges on such sands should be avoided unless appropriate methods of compaction or
stabilization are adopted. Liquefaction analysis procedure is given in APPENDIX G. Foundation should
be taken to sufficient depth below the layers of soil which are susceptible to liquefaction.

14. Connections
The connection between the superstructure and substructure is achieved through bearings. The
primary functions of the bearings are to resist the vertical loads due to dead load and live load and
to allow for superstructure movements (translation and rotation) due to live load and temperature
changes. The design of bearings is governed by the force to be resisted and the extent of
movement (translation and rotation) it can accommodate. During seismic event, the lateral seismic
forces from superstructure are transferred to substructure through bearings. The bearing shall
possess sufficient strength to resist these seismic forces.
14.1 Design Force for Connections
14.1.1 Seismic Zone II and III
The connections between adjacent sections of the superstructure or between the superstructure
and the substructure shall be designed to resist at least horizontal seismic force in the restrained
directions equal to 0.2 times the vertical dead load reaction at the bearing, irrespective of the
number of spans.

14.1.2 Seismic Zone IV and V

The connection between the superstructure and substructure, and the substructure and
foundation shall be designed to resist the smaller of the following forces:
a) Maximum elastic horizontal seismic force obtained from analysis and transferred through the
connection in the restrained directions, divided by the appropriate Response reduction factor
R as applicable to connections, which are given in Table 7.
b) Maximum horizontal force, when over strength plastic moment hinges are formed in the
substructure.

14.2 Displacement at Connections

14.2.1 - Separation between Adjacent Units
When relative movement between two adjacent units of a bridge are designed to occur at a
separation/expansion joint, sufficient clearance shall be provided between them, to permit the
calculated relative movement under design earthquake conditions to freely occur without inducing
damage. Where the two units may be out of phase, the clearance to be provided may be estimated
as the square root of the sum of squares of the calculated displacements of the two units under
maximum elastic seismic forces given by Clauses 7.2 or 8.3.

14.3 Minimum Seating Width Requirements

The widths of seating W (in mm) at supports measured normal to the face of the
abutment/pier/pedestal of bearings/restrained portion of superstructure from the closest end of the
girder shall be following:
The value specified below:
300 + 1.5L + 6Hp for seismic zones II and III
W=
500 + 2.5L + 10Hp for seismic zones IV and V
37
Where
L = Length (in meters) of the superstructure to the adjacent expansion joint or to the end of
superstructure. In case of bearings under suspended spans, it is sum of the lengths of the two
adjacent portions of the superstructure. In case of single span bridges, it is equal to the length of
the superstructure.

For bearings at abutments, Hp is the average height (in meters) of all columns supporting the
superstructure to the next expansion joint. It is equal to zero for single span bridges. For bearings
at columns or piers, Hp is the height (in meters) of column or pier. For bearings under suspended
spans, Hp is the average height (in meters) of the two adjacent columns or piers. Graphical
representation of seating widths is shown in Fig. below

38
15. Special Ductile Detailing Requirements for Bridges Substructures
The design seismic force for bridges is lower than the maximum expected seismic force on them.
However, to ensure good performance at low cost, the difference in the design seismic force and
the maximum expected seismic force shall be accounted for through additional safety provisions
in design/detailing. (These provisions are meant for bridges having reinforced concrete
substructures; however, if steel substructures are used in high seismic zones, reference should be
made to specialist literature.) APPENDIX C describes the detailing procedure.
16. Special Devices
Special devices like seismic isolation devices, shock transmission units (STU) and dampers may
be employed to improve the seismic performance of bridges. However, appropriate analysis and
testing shall be carried out before installation.

16.1 Seismic Isolation Devices

Section 17 provides details regarding bridges with seismic isolation.

16.2 Shock Transmission Units

Multi-span bridges with continuous superstructure may be provided with restrained bearings over
only one pier/abutment. In order to distribute the seismic forces generated by the superstructure
to other pier(s)/abutment(s), STUs’ may be introduced after adequate testing, between
superstructure and other pier(s)/abutment(s) where free/guided bearings are used. However,
specialist literature shall be consulted for the details of such STUs and for their design in bridges
subjected to seismic effects. STUs should facilitate the breathing of the bridge due to thermal and
shrinkage effects.
STUs shall be accessible for inspection and maintenance/replacement.

Super Structure

Pier
STU unit

Fig 7 Typical Shock Transmission Unit

39
17. Bridges with Seismic Isolation
17.1 General
Seismic isolation devices (bearings) are deployed below the deck and on the top of the pier (Fig.
8). These shall be used for stiff bridges with time period less than 1 sec. The reduction in forces
is achieved either by lengthening of time period or increase of damping or both of them. The effect
of lengthening of period and increase of damping on the design force is explained in Fig. 9. The
increase in damping is achieved by hysteretic energy loss. The isolation bearing is idealized as
bilinear spring with hysteresis as shown in Fig. 10; where, Ku is elastic stiffness, Kd is post elastic
stiffness, Qd is characteristic strength and Keff is effective stiffness.
With the use of isolation devices, the lateral displacement of superstructure increases. This
increase in displacement shall not cause any adverse effect. Isolation bearings shall not be used
for bridges which (a) are on soft soil, (b) which have long natural time period, and (c) which may
experience uplift at bearing support. Isolation bearings shall be firmly fixed to the superstructure
and substructure by anchor bolts and shall be easily accessible for replacements.

Fig.8 Bridge with seismic isolation

40
 Structural modes Isolated modes with damping
with 5% damping equal to effective damping of
SPECTRAL ACCELERATION (Sa/g)
1

A1
0.8

0.6

IS 1893 Zone V
Soil Type I
0.4
(5 % damped )

Composite spectrum
for isolated bridge A2
0.2
Period of non- A3
isolated bridge
T eff
0
0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0
Period of
Period Shift
PERIOD (sec) isolated bridge

Fig.9 Effect of isolator on spectral acceleration

Force Fmax

Fy Kd

Qd
Keff
Ku Ku

Displacement
max

EDC

Fig.10 Bilinear force-deflection model for isolator

Qd=Characteristics Strength
Fy= Yield Force
Fmax=Maximum Force
Kd =Post-elastic stiffness
Ku = Elastic (unloading) stiffness
Keff= Maximum bearing displacement

41
EDC = Energy dissipated per cycle = Area of hysteresis loop (shaded)

17.2 Design Criteria

A site-specific seismic hazard analysis shall be carried out to develop design ground motion for
base-isolated bridges. This study shall be carried out by professionals with acknowledged
expertise to do so and will usually involve geological, seismological, geotechnical and structural
inputs. However, if the design ground motion thus arrived at gives a design less conservative than
 Z Sa 
that from design response spectrum given by  .I .  then the latter shall govern the design. The
 2 g 
response reduction factor for the substructure shall be taken as half of the values given in Table7.
However, the value of response reduction factor shall not be less than 1.0.

17.3 Analysis Procedure

The seismic coefficient method (single mode method) or response spectrum method (multimode
method) can be used. The isolation system shall be idealized as bilinear system (Fig. 10) with
linear stiffness as Keff. The analysis shall be done using upper bound properties and lower bound
properties. The upper bound properties, which would result in higher value of Keff, would give higher
force, and the lower bound properties would give higher deflection. The maximum and minimum
values are obtained by multiplying Kd and Qd with the property modification factors, which depend
on velocity, temperature, aging, scragging, travel and contamination. The values of property
modification factors are described in Appendix – H.
From the analysis, the isolator deflection, di, shall be obtained. Then, the design force for isolator
is F = Keff . di. If uniform load method is used, then, isolator displacement is given by
2
250AhTeff
d1  mm
B1

W
Where Teff  2
K eff g
Since, the isolator unit has low stiffness, the displacement increases. The clearance in the two
orthogonal directions shall be the maximum displacement determined in each of the directions
from the analysis. The clearance shall not be less than

200AhTeff 2
mm
B1
where, BI is the damping coefficient corresponding to the effective damping ratio of the isolator
unit.
The value of BI shall be taken from Table 10.
Table 10. Damping Coefficient for Isolated Bridges, BI

Damping (Percentage of critical)

<2 5 10 20 30 40 50

42
 BI 0.8 1 1.2 1.5 1.7 1.9 2.0
In the uniform load method, earthquake force, F = (Ah). W is applied on the structure. Here, W is
weight of the bridge, and Ah is the design seismic

17.4 Requirement of Isolator Unit

17.4.1 Non-seismic Lateral Forces
The isolation system must resist all Non-seismic lateral load combinations applied above the
isolation unit. The rigidity against these lateral forces shall be established with the help of tests. If
the temperature is likely to be very low in winter, then, the effect of low temperature on either
coefficient of friction, shear modulus etc. shall be properly considered. The isolator shall not lose
its effectiveness due to low temperature.
17.4.2 Lateral Restoring Force
The isolator unit has more flexibility and high energy dissipating capacity. Hence, in order to avoid
cumulative displacement, it must have sufficient restoring force at any given displaced position. In
order to ensure that the restoring force is not too less, it is recommended that at any displacement
less than the design displacement, the tangent stiffness shall be such that the natural period shall
not be more than 6 sec. The restoring force at any displacement shall be more than the restoring
force at lower displacement. If the restoring force is constant for all displacements, then, this force
shall be at least equal to 1.05 times the characteristics strength, Kd. It is important to note that the
forces which do not depend on the displacements, such as damping force may not be used to
meet the minimum restoring force requirement.

17.4.3 Vertical Load and Rotational Stability

In laterally un-deformed state, the isolation system shall provide a factor of safety of at least three
against the vertical loads. It shall also be shown to be stable under 1.2 times the dead load and
vertical load due to seismic force. Further, its stability against the lateral displacement equal to the
offset displacement and 1.1 times the total design displacement shall be checked.
The isolator shall have the rotation capacity to accommodate rotation due to dead load, live load
and construction misalignment, which shall not be less than 0.005 radians.

17.5 Tests on Isolation System

17.5.1 System Characterization Test

This is to establish characteristics of isolation unit and its various components.

17.5.2 Prototype Test

This is to establish deformation and damping characteristics of the isolator unit.
17.5.3 These tests are done at manufacturing units and the specimens involved in the test are not
used. The prototype test is to be conducted on at least two specimen of full size. The system
characterization tests are conducted on various components as per the requirements of the
corresponding IS codes.
17.5.4 A shake table test on model not less than 1/4th of full model shall be done. Scale factors
for this test shall be well established. Wear or travel and fatigue tests are conducted to check if
the movements due to thermal displacements and live load rotation can be accommodated. The
thermal displacements and live load rotations shall correspond to at least 30 years of expected
43
movement. The tests shall be applied at the design contact pressure and at 200C +80C. The rate
of application shall be not less than 63.5 mm/minute.

17.5.5 The tests shall be done for following minimum:

Bearings – 1.6 km
Dampers attached to the web of the neutral axis – 1.6 km
Dampers attached to the girder bottom – 3.2 km.
17.5.6 – The prototype specimen shall be tested in the following sequence for prescribed
number of cycles:
Table – 11: Sequence for Testing of Bearing
Test Description

(A) Component

Three fully reversed cycle of loads at a lateral displacement

Thermal corresponding to the maximum thermal displacement. The test
velocity shall not be less than 0.075 mm per minute.

Twenty fully reversed cycles between limits of plus and minus

Wind and
maximum load for a total duration not less than 40 seconds. After the
braking
cyclic testing, the maximum load shall be held for 60 seconds.

Three fully reversed cycles of loading at each of the following

multiples of the total design displacement: 1.0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.0,
Seismic -1 and 1.25 in the sequence mentioned. The results of test
corresponding to design displacement are used for finding stiffness
and damping properties.

Fully reversed cycles of loading at design displacement for 25 cycles.

Seismic -2 The test shall be started from a displacement equal to the offset
displacement.

The prototype
specimen shall
be tested in the Three fully reversed cycles between limits of plus and minus the
following maximum load for a total duration not less than 40 seconds. After the
sequence for cyclic testing, the maximum load shall be held for 60 seconds. This
prescribed test is done to ascertain the survivability of the isolator after the major
number of earthquake.
cycles: Wind and
braking

(B) Prototype

Seismic
Three fully reversed cycles of loading at the deign displacement. The
performance
test verifies service load performance after the major earthquake.
verification

44
 The vertical load carrying capacity shall be demonstrated under
Vertical load 1.2DL + LL (seismic) + additional vertical load due to overturning
moment.
17.5.7 The force deflection characteristics of the isolator shall be based on cyclic load test results
(seismic test described above) for each fully reversed cycle of loading (Fig. 10). The effective
stiffness of an isolator unit shall be calculated for each cycle of loading as follows:

Fp  Fn
K eff 
 p  n
where, P and n are maximum positive and negative displacements and FP and Fn are
maximum positive and negative forces at P and n respectively (Fig. 10).

17.5.8 The equivalent viscous damping ratio () is given by

1 Total EDCE area



2  K eff d12 
The total EDC area shall be taken as the sum of the areas of all isolator units. The hysteresis loop
area of each isolator unit shall be taken as the minimum area of the three loops established at the
design displacement, di is the design displacement at the centre of rigidity of the isolation system
in the direction under consideration.

17.6 - System Adequacy

In the above mentioned tests, the performance of isolator unit is considered to be satisfactory, if
the following conditions are satisfied:
(i) The force deflection plots, of all tests on prototype specimen (excluding viscous damper
component) shall show positive incremental force-carrying capacity so as to meet the
restoring force requirements.

(ii) In the thermal test on prototype, the maximum measured force shall be less than the design
value.

(iii) In the other tests on prototype, the maximum displacement shall be less than the design
displacement.

(iv) In the three cycles of seismic tests, the average effective stiffness shall be within 10% of the
value used in the design.

(v) In the seismic test, in each of the three cycles, the measured minimum effective stiffness
shall not be less than the 80% of the maximum effective stiffness.

(vi) In the second seismic test (Seismic -2), the minimum effective stiffness shall not be less
than 80% of the maximum effective stiffness. Similarly, the minimum area under EDC shall
not be less than 70% of the maximum EDC area.

45
17.7 Requirements for Elastomeric Bearings
In addition to the normal tests and designs, which are done for non-seismic conditions, the
elastomeric bearings shall comply with the design described in this section. The elastomeric
bearings shall use steel reinforcement; the use of fabric reinforcement is not permitted.
17.7.1 Shear Strain Components for Isolation Design

The various components of shear strain in the bearing shall be computed as:

Table .12 Shear Strain Components

Component Shear strain

3S1 P
 fpr S1  15
c 
2 ArG 1  2kS 2
Shear strain due to vertical load  2

3P1  8GkS1 
K
   for S  15
1
4GkSAr

Shear strain due to non-seismic lateral s

 s,s 
displacement Tr

Shear strain due to seismic lateral d1

 s ,eq 
displacement Tr

B 2
Shear strain due to rotation r 
2t1Tr

Where,

K is the bulk modulus of the elastomer, in the absence of measured data, the value of K may be
taken as 2000 MPa. The shape factor, S1 shall be taken as the plan area of the elastomer
layer divided by the area of perimeter free to bulge.

s is non seismic lateral displacement resulting from creep, post-tensioning, shrinkage and
thermal effects,

di is seismic lateral displacement,

θ is design rotation and shall not be less than 0.005 rad.

Tr is total elastomer thickness,

k is the material constant, and

46
ti is the thickness of ith layer.

B is bonded plan dimension or bonded diameter in loaded direction of rectangular bearing or

diameter of circular bearing

17.7.2 Load Combinations

The elastomeric bearing shall satisfy the following load combinations of shear strains:
c< 2.5
c + s,s + r < 5.0
c + s,eq+ 0.5r< 5.5
where, shear strains are as explained in Table 12 above.

17.7.3 Construction Requirements

In addition to non-seismic construction requirements following shall be met with:
(i) The layers of elastomeric bearings shall integrally bond during vulcanization and cold
bonding is not allowed.

(ii) A 5-minute proof load test with 1.5 times the dead load and live load shall be conducted on
each bearing. There shall be no bulging due to poor lamination.

(iii) All bearings shall be tested in combined compression and shear. The bearings may be tested
in pairs. The compressive load shall be average dead load of all bearings and they shall be
subjected to five fully reversed cycles of loading at the total design displacement or 50% of
elastomer thickness. For each group of similar types of bearings, the effective stiffness and
EDC shall be averaged. For individual bearings, the effective stiffness shall be within 20% of
design values and EDC shall not be less than 25% of the design value. The average value
of effective stiffness of a group shall be within 10% of design value and the EDC value shall
not be less than 15% of the design value.

After all the tests, all the bearing shall be visually inspected for defects. If there is lack of
bond between rubber and steel, or laminate placement fault, or permanent deformation or
surface cracks on rubber that are wider or deeper than 2/3rd rubber thickness, then, the
bearing shall be rejected.

18. Post-Earthquake Operation and Inspection

The response of railway tracks and bridges to an earthquake would depend on distance from
epicenter and nature of attenuation. The post-earthquake train operations in the region shall be
cautiously started. Detailed procedure for post-earthquake operations and inspection is explained
in Appendix – J.

47
 Appendix – (A) References

1) IIT-K RDSO Guidelines on Seismic Design of Railway Bridges –November 2010

2) “Manual for Railway Engineering”, American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-

of-Way Association (AREMA), USA, 2007.

3) “AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications”, American Association of State

Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), USA, 2007.
4) Seismic Design Criteria”, California Department of Transportation (CALTRANS), USA,
2006.
5) Design of Structures for Earthquake Resistance”, Eurocode 8: Part 2: Bridges,
European Committee for Standardization, 2005.

6) Bridge Manual”, TRANSIT, Wellington, New Zealand, 2005.

7) “Specifications for Highway Bridges”, Part V Seismic Design Japan Road Association,
2003.

8) “Seismic Design for Railway Structures”, Railway Technical Research Institute

(RTRI), Japan, 2000.

9) “Seismic Design Criteria for High Speed Rail Project“, National Center for Research
on Earthquake Engineering, Taiwan, 1992.
10) Murty, C.V.R. and Jain, S.K. “A Proposed Draft for Indian Code Provisions on seismic
design for bridges-Part I: Code”, Journal of Structural Engineering, Vol.26, No. 3, 223-
234, 2000.

11) Murty, C.V.R. and Jain, S.K. “A Proposed Draft for Indian Code Provisions on seismic
design for bridges-Part II: Code”, Journal of Structural Engineering, Vol.27, No. 2, 79-
89, 2000

12) Skinner ,R.I. , Kelly , T.E. and Robinson , B. “ Seismic Isolation for Designers and
Structural Engineers”, Robinson Seismic Ltd.

13) “AASHTO Guide Specifications for Seismic Isolation Design “American Association of
State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), USA, 2000.

48
 Appendix – (B) Relevant Codes and Standards

The following Codes/Standards are necessary adjuncts to these guidelines:

1) IRC:6-2014 Standard Specification and Code of Practice for Road Bridges,

2) IRC:83 (Part III) Standard Specification and Code of (Part III) Practice for Road
Bridges Section IX: - Bearings, 2002

3) IRS Code of Practice For Plain, Reinforced &Prestressed Concrete For General Bridge
Construction, Third Revision, 2004

4) IRS Code of Practice For the Design of Sub-Structures and Foundation of Bridge,
Second Revision,2004

5) IRS Code of Practice For the Design of Steel or Wrought Iron Bridges Carrying Rail,
Road or Pedestrian Traffic, Second Revision, 2004

6) IRS Bridge Rules specifying the Loads for Bridge Design of Super Structure and Sub-
Rules Structure of bridges, Second Revision, 2004

7) IS 1893 (Part I) Criteria for Earthquake Resistant Design of Structures, Part I: General
Provisions and Buildings, 2002

8) IS 13920 Ductile Detailing of Reinforced Concrete Structure Subjected to Seismic

Forces-Code of Practice, 1993

49
 Appendix – (C) Ductile Detailing Specifications
(Clause 15.0)
C-1. General
The detailing rules given have been chosen with the intention that reliable plastic
hinges should form at the top and bottom of each pier column, or at the bottom only of a
single stem pier under horizontal loading and that the bridge should remain elastic between
the hinges (Fig. C-1). The aim is to achieve a reliable ductile structure. Repair of plastic
hinges is relatively easy.

Design strategy to be used is based on assumption that the plastic response will occur
in the substructure. However, in case of a wall type substructure, the nonlinear behaviour
may occur in the foundation-ground system.

C-2. Specification
C-2.1 Minimum grade of concrete should be M25 (fck = 25 MPa).

C-2.2 Steel reinforcement of grade Fe 415 (see IS 1786: 2008) or less shall be preferred.
However, high strength deformed steel bars of grades Fe500 & Fe550 having elongation
more than 14.5 percent and conforming to other requirements of IS 1786 : 2008 may also
be used for the reinforcement.

C-3. Layout
(a) The use of circular column is preferred for better plastic hinge performance and
ease of construction.

(b)The bridge must be proportioned and detailed by the designer so that plastic
hinges occur only at the controlled locations (e.g., pier column ends) and not in other
uncontrolled places.

C-4. Longitudinal Reinforcement

The area of the longitudinal reinforcement shall not be less than 0.8 percent nor
more than 6 percent, of the gross cross section area Ag. Splicing of flexural region
reinforcement is not permitted in the plastic hinge region. Lap shall not be located within a
distance of 2 times the maximum column cross-sectional dimension from the end at which
hinging can occur. The splices should be proportioned as a tension splice.

C-4.1The reduction of longitudinal reinforcement at mid-height in piers should not be

carried out except in tall pier.

50
 C-4.2 In case of high bridge piers such as of height equal to 30m or more, the reduction
of reinforcement at mid height may be done. In such cases the following method should
be adopted:

(i) The curtailment of longitudinal reinforcement shall not be carried out in the
section six times the least lateral column dimension from the location where
plastic hinge is likely to occur.

(ii) The interval between hoop ties is specified to be less than 150mm in a
reinforcement position. The interval between hoop ties shall not change abruptly,
the change must be gradual.

C-5. Transverse Reinforcement

The transverse reinforcement for circular columns shall consist of spiral or circular
hoops. Continuity of these reinforcements should be provided by either (Fig. C -.2(a) or
C-2.(b)):

(a) Welding, where the minimum length of weld should be 12 bar diameter, and the
minimum weld throat thickness should be 0.4 times the bar diameter.
(b) Lapping, where the minimum length of lap should be 30 bar diameters and each
end of the bar anchored with 135 hooks with a 10 diameter extension into the
confined core.
Splicing of the spiral reinforcement in the plastic hinge region should be avoided.

In rectangular columns, rectangular hoops may be used. A rectangular hoop is a

closed stirrup, having a 135 hook with a 10 diameter extension at each end that is
embedded in the confined core (Figure C-2.c). When hoop ties are joined in any place
other than a corner the hoop ties shall overlap each other by a length 40 bar diameter of
the reinforcing bar which makes the hoop ties with hooks as specified above.

Joint portion of hoop ties for both circular and rectangular hoops should be
staggered.

C-6. Design of Plastic Hinge Regions

C-6.1 Seismic Design Force for Substructure

Provisions given in this Appendix for the ductile detailing of RC members subjected to
seismic forces shall be adopted for supporting components of the bridge. The design shear
force at the critical section(s) of substructures shall be the lower of the following:

(a) Maximum elastic shear force at the critical section of the bridge component divided
by the response reduction factor for that component as per Table 7, and

51
(b) Maximum shear force that develops when

(i) The substructure has maximum moment that it can sustain (i.e., the
overstrength plastic moment capacity as per Clause 6.2) in single-column or
single-pier type substructure.

(ii) Plastic moment hinges are formed in the substructure so as to form a collapse
mechanism in multiple-column frame type or multiple-pier type substructures,
in which the plastic moment capacity shall be the overstrength plastic moment
capacity as per Clause C 6.2.

In a single-column type or pier type substructure, the critical section is at the bottom of
the column or pier as shown in Figure C-1(a) and, in multi-column frame-type
substructures or multi-pier substructures, the critical sections are at the bottom and/or top
of the columns/piers as shown in Figure C-1(b).

C-6.2 Over strength Plastic Moment Capacity

The over strength plastic moment capacity at a reinforced concrete section shall be taken
as 1.3 times the ultimate moment capacity based on the usual partial safety factors
recommended by relevant design codes for materials and loads, and on the actual
dimensions of members and the actual reinforcement detailing adopted.

C-6.3 Special Confining Reinforcement:

Special confining reinforcement shall be provided at the ends of pier columns where
plastic hinge can occur. This transverse reinforcement should extend for a distance from
the point of maximum moment over the plastic hinge region over a length l0. The length l0
shall not be less than,

(a) 1.5 times the column diameter or 1.5 times the larger cross sectional dimension where
yielding occurs

(b) 1/6 of clear height of the column for frame pier (i.e when hinging can occur at both ends
of the column)

(c) 1/4 of clear height of the column for cantilever pier (i.e when hinging can occur at only
one end of the column)

(d) 600 mm

C-6.4 Spacing of Transverse Reinforcement

The spacing of hoops used as special confining reinforcement shall not exceed

(i) 1/5 times the least lateral dimension of the cross section of column,
(ii) 6 times the diameter of the longitudinal bar,
(iii)150 mm

52
 The parallel legs of rectangular stirrups shall be spaced not more than 1/3 of the
smallest dimension of the concrete core or more than 350 mm centre to centre. If the length
of any side of the stirrups exceeds 350 mm, a cross tie shall be provided. Alternatively,
overlapping stirrups may be provided within the column.

C-6.5 Amount of Transverse Steel to be Provided

C-6.5.1 The area of cross section, Ash, of the bar forming circular hoops or spiral, to be
used as special confining reinforcement, shall not be less than

 Ag f
Ash  0.09SD k   1.0  ck
 Ac  fy
f
Ash  0.024SDk ck
or, fy
whichever is the greater

where

Ash = area of cross-section of circular hoop

S = pitch of spiral or spacing of hoops in mm

Dk = Diameter of core measured to the outside of the spiral or hoops in mm

fck= characteristic compressive strength of concrete

fy= yield stress of steel (of circular hoops or spiral )

Ag = gross area of the column cross section


Ac = Area of the concrete core = D k2
4

C-6.5.2 The total area of cross-section of the bar forming rectangular hoop and cross ties,
Ash to be used as special confining reinforcement shall not be less than

 Ag  f
Asw  0.24Sh  1.0 ck
 Ar  fy

Or,

f ck
Asw  0.096Sh
fy

Whichever is the greater

53
where

h = longer dimension of the rectangular confining hoop measured to its outer

face

Ar= Area of confined core concrete in the rectangular hoop measure to its outer
side dimensions.

Note: Cross ties where used should be of the same diameter as the peripheral hoop bar
and Ar shall be measured as the overall core area, regardless the hoop area. The hooks
of cross ties shall engage peripheral longitudinal bars.

C-6.5.3 Unsupported length of rectangular hoops shall not exceed 300mm.

C-6.5.4. For ductile detailing of hollow cross-section of pier special literature may be
referred. Some of the provisions for hollow RC piers are:

i) For hollow cylindrical piers, in the plastic hinge region, the ratio of internal diameter
to thickness should not exceed 8.0.

ii) For wall type hollow piers, in the plastic region, the ratio of clear width of the wall to
thickness should not exceed 8.0.

C-7. Design of Components between the Hinges

Once the position of the plastic hinges has been determined and these regions
detailed to ensure a ductile performance, the structure between the plastic hinges is
designed considering the capacity of the plastic hinges. The intention here is:

(i) To reliably protect the bridge against collapse so that it will be available for
service after a major shaking.

(ii) To localize structural damage to the plastic hinge regions where it can be
controlled and repaired.

The process of designing the structure between the plastic hinges is known as “capacity
design”.

C-7.1 Column Shear and Transverse Reinforcement

To avoid a brittle shear failure design shear force for pier shall be based on
overstrength moment capacities of the plastic hinges and given by:

Vu 
 MO
h

where
54
  M O  the sum of the overstrength moment capacities of the hinges resisting lateral
loads, as detailed. In case of twin pier this would be the sum of the overstrength moment
capacities at the top and bottom of the column. For single stem piers the overstrength
moment capacity at the bottom only should be used.

h = clear height of the column in the case of a column in double curvature; height to
calculated point of contra-flexure in the case of a column in single curvature.

Outside the hinge regions, the spacing of hoops shall not exceed half the least
lateral dimension of the column, nor 300 mm.

C-8. Design of Joints:

Beam-column joints should be designed properly to resist the forces caused by axial
loads, bending and shear forces in the joining members. Forces in the joint should be
determined by considering a free body of the joint with the forces on the joint member
boundaries properly represented.

The joint shear strength should be entirely provided by transverse reinforcement. Where
the joint is not confined adequately (i.e. where minimum pier cap and pile cap width is less
than three column diameters) the special confinement requirement should be satisfied.

C-8.1 Ductility of all the joints in the structure may be ensured by offsetting the splices /
couplers where the area of reinforcement provided is at least twice the area required by
analysis staggered 600 mm minimum.

C-8.2 The pier – foundation joint or the slab – pier joint (in case of integral slab – bridges)
must be checked for principal tensile stress in the concrete around the junction , following
an appropriate prevailing method. The un-cracked joint may be designed by keeping the
principal stresses in the joint region below direct tensile strength of concrete. If the joint
cannot be prevented from cracking, additional vertical stirrups may be added to the
external concrete region around the column.

The joint stresses may be assumed to disperse 45º around the column as per prevailing
practices.

55
56
5)

57
 Appendix – (D) Zone Factors for Some Important Towns
(Clause 6.1)

Town Zone Zone Factor, Z Town Zone Zone Factor, Z

Agra III 0.16 Kanchipuram III 0.16

Ahmedabad III 0.16 Kanpur III 0.16

Ajmer II 0.10 Karwar III 0.16

Allahabad II 0.10 Kohima V 0.36

Almora IV 0.24 Kolkata III 0.16

Ambala IV 0.24 Kota II 0.10

Amritsar IV 0.24 Kurnool II 0.10

Asansol III 0.24 Lucknow III 0.16

Aurangabad II 0.10 Ludhiyana IV 0.24

Bahraich IV 0.24 Madurai II 0.10

Bangalore II 0.10 Mandi V 0.36

Barauni IV 0.24 Mangalore III 0.16

Bareilly III 0.16 Monghyr IV 0.24

Belgaum III 0.16 Moradabad IV 0.24

Bhatinda III 0.16 Mumbai III 0.16

Bhilai II 0.10 Mysore II 0.10

Bhopal II 0.10 Nagpur II 0.10

Bhubaneswar III 0.16 Nagarjunasagar II 0.10

Bhuj V 0.36 Nainital IV 0.24

Bijapur III 0.16 Nasik III 0.16

Bikaner III 0.16 Nellore III 0.16

Bokaro III 0.16 Osmanabad III 0.16

Bulandshahr IV 0.24 Panjim III 0.16

Burdwan III 0.16 Patiala III 0.16

Calicut III 0.16 Patna IV 0.24

Chandigarh IV 0.24 Pilibhit IV 0.24

Chennai III 0.16 Pondicherry II 0.10

58
Chitradurga II 0.10 Pune III 0.16

Coimatore III 0.16 Raipur II 0.10

Cuddalore III II 0.16 Rajkot III 0.16

Cuttack III 0.16 Ranchi II 0.10

Darbhanga V 0.36 Roorkee IV 0.24

Darjeeling IV 0.24 Rourkela II 0.10

Dharwad III 0.16 Sadiya V 0.36

Dehra Dun IV 0.24 Salem III 0.16

Dharampuri III 0.16 Simla IV 0.24

Delhi IV 0.24 Sironj II 0.10

Durgapur III 0.16 Solapur III 0.16

Gangtok IV 0.24 Srinagar V 0.36

Guwahati V 0.36 Surat III 0.16

Goa III 0.16 Tarapur III 0.16

Gulbarga II 0.10 Tezpur V 0.36

Gaya III 0.16 Thane III 0.16

Gorakhpur IV 0.24 Thanjavur II 0.10

Hyderabad II 0.10 Thiruvananthapuram III 0.16

Imphal V 0.36 Tiruchirappali II 0.10

Jabalpur III 0.16 Thiruvennamalai III 0.16

Jaipur II 0.10 Udaipur II 0.10

Jamshedpur II 0.10 Vadodara III 0.16

Jhansi II 0.10 Varanasi III 0.16

Jodhpur II 0.10 Vellore III 0.16

Jorhat V 0.36 Vijayawada III 0.16

Kakrapara III 0.16 VIshakhapatnam II 0.10

Kalapakkam III 0.16

59
 Appendix – (E) Pushover Analysis
(Clause 10.0)

E-1 Pushover analysis is performed to explicitly ascertain the displacement capacity of the
bridge structure. This analysis is explained for the reinforced concrete structures. This is done
with the help of static nonlinear analysis, in which nonlinear properties of concrete and
reinforcing steel are used. The displacement capacity shall be greater than the displacement
demand. The procedure explained herein, is based on Caltrans (2006).

E-2 Displacement demand

The displacement demand is twice the elastic displacement obtained using a linear analysis.
This displacement demand is doubled due to use of factor Z/2 in the seismic force calculation
for linear analysis. The single mode method (Clause 7.0) or multi-mode method (Clause 8.0)
may be used as per the requirements of Clause 6.3.1. From the displacement demand, ΔD,
the displacement ductility demand is obtained as

μD=ΔD / ΔY

where, Y is yield displacement of the system from its initial position to the formation of
plastic hinge.

E-3 Displacement capacity

The local displacement capacity of a member is obtained from its curvature capacity, which
is determined from the moment curvature (M-) analysis. The expected stress strain curve
or material properties of concrete and steel are used. For confined concrete, the Mander’s
model shown in Fig. E-1 is used, and the stress-strain model shown in Fig. E-2 is used for
steel. The moment curvature analysis obtains the curvatures associated with a range of
moments for a cross-section, based on the strain compatibility force equilibrium conditions.
The M- curve (Fig. E-3) can be idealized with an elastic perfectly plastic curve to estimate
the plastic moment capacity of a cross-section. The idealized plastic moment capacity is
obtained by balancing the areas between the actual curve and the idealized curve beyond
the first reinforcing bar yield point (Fig. E-3).

60
 Fig E-1 Stress strain model for concrete Fig E-2 Stress strain model for steel

Idealized curve
Actual curve

Fig. E-3 Moment curvature (M- ) curve

Here, Mp is the plastic moment capacity , My is the first reinforcing bar yield point & Mne is the
expected nominal moment capacity, u is the curvature capacity at the failure limit state defined as
the concrete strain reaching cu or the confinement reinforcing steel reaching the reduced ultimate
strain suR. Similarly, Y is the idealized yield curvature defined by an elastic-perfectly plastic
representation of M- curve (Fig. E-3).The idealized plastic curvature capacity, P, which is
assumed constant over plastic hinge length, LP is given by P = u - Y. The hinge length, LP in mm
is given by
LP = 0.08L + 0.022fyedbl > 0.044fyedbl for columns (mm, MPa)
LP = G + 0.044fyedbl for horizontally isolated flared columns
Here, G is the gap between the isolated flare and the soffit of the bent cap. With reference to Fig.
E-4, the plastic rotation capacity, P = LP x P and
61
  Lp 
p = p   L  
 2 

Then, the total displacement capacity of the column is given by

c = Ycol + P
where, Ycol is the idealized yield displacement of the column (Fig. E-4).

Fig. E-4 Lateral displacement capacity of fixed base column

The displacement capacity c thus obtained shall be greater than the demand D obtained
from linear static analysis. The above described procedure to obtain the displacement
capacity is for a cantilever column, fixed at the base and free at the top. Similarly, analysis
can be done for fixed-fixed column. For a frame type substructure, M- curve is to be given
for each member and the analysis becomes more involved, for which help of standard
software may be required.
It shall be ensured that the flexural hinge occurs prior to shear failure of column, and hence,
the nominal shear capacity shall be greater than the shear force corresponding to plastic
hinge. Similarly, capacity protection shall be provided to the other adjacent components such
as bent cap, pile cap etc.

62
 Appendix – (F) Dynamic Earth Pressure
(Clause 12.3.1)
F-1. Dynamic earth pressure on abutments

Figure F 1: Seismic Active Earth Pressure on Retaining Walls

F-1.1 Lateral Earth Pressure - The pressure from earth fill behind retaining walls during an
earthquake shall be as given in F.1.1.1 to F.1.4.1. In the analysis, cohesion has been neglected.
This assumption is on conservative side.

F-1.1.1 Active Pressure Due to Earth fill -The general conditions encountered for the design of
retaining walls are illustrated in Fig. F 1. The total active pressure exerted against the wall shall be
the maximum of the two given by the following expression:

H 2 1  Av K AE
1
E AE 
2 (Eq. F.1)
Where the seismic active earth pressure coefficient KAE is given by
2

cos      
2
 sin   sin    i  
K AE   1  
cos cos  cos      
2
cos(     ) cos(  i )  (Eq. F.2)

and where
= unit weight of soil (kN/m3)
H = height of wall in (m) Ф=angle of friction of soil (0)
δ=angle of friction between soil and abutment (0)

63
 Ah=elastic seismic coefficient [see Clause 9.1]
Av= vertical seismic coefficient– it’s value being taken consistently throughout the stability
analysis of wall equal to 2/3 Ah.

  tan 1
Ah
1  Av
 0

i= backfill slope angle (0)

β=slope of wall to the vertical (0)

F.1.1.2 Point of Application – From the total pressure computed as above subtract the static
active pressure obtained by putting Av = Ah =θ=0 in the expression given by equation F.1 and F.2.
The remainder is the dynamic increment. The static component of the total pressure shall be
applied at an elevation H/3 above the base of the wall. The point of application of the dynamic
increment shall be assumed to be at mid-height of the wall.

F.1.2 Passive Pressure Due to Earth fill –The total passive pressure against the walls shall be
the minimum of the two given by the following expression:

H 2 1  Av K PE
1
EPE  (Eq.F.3)
2

Where the seismic passive earth pressure coefficient KPE is given by

2
cos2 (     )  sin(  ) sin(    i) 
K PE   1  
cos cos2  cos(     )  cos(     ) cos(  i )  (Eq. F.4)

F.1.2.2 Point of application- From the static passive pressure obtained by putting Ah= Av=  = 0
in the expression given by equation F.3 and F.4, subtracts the total pressure computed as above.
The remainder is the dynamic decrement .The static component of the total pressure shall be
applied at an elevation H/3 above the base of the wall. The point of application of the dynamic
decrement shall be assumed to be at an elevation 0.66 H above the base of the wall.
F.1.3 Active Pressure Due to Uniform Surcharge- The active pressure against the wall due to a
uniform surcharge of intensity q per unit area of the inclined earth fill surface shall be:
qH cos 
E AE q   1  Av K AE
cosi    (Eq. F.5)

F.1.3.1 Point of application- The dynamic increment in active pressure due to uniform surcharge
shall be applied at an elevation of 0.66H above the base of the wall, while the static component
shall be applied at mid-height of the wall.

F.1.4 Passive Pressure Due to Uniform Surcharge-The passive pressure against the wall due
to a uniform surcharge of intensity q per unit area of the inclined earth fill shall be:

64
 qH cos 
PPE q  K PE
cos(  i ) (Eq. F.6)

F.1.4.1 Point of application- The dynamic decrement in passive pressures due to uniform
surcharge shall be applied at an elevation of 0.66h above the base of the walls while the static
component shall be applied at mid-height of the wall

F.2 Effect of Saturation on Lateral earth Pressure

F.2.1 For saturated earthfill, the saturated unit weight of the soil shall be adopted in the Equation
F.1

F.2.2 For submerged earthfill, the dynamic increment (or decrement) in active and passive earth
pressures during earthquakes shall be found from expressions given in equation F.2 and F.4with
the following modifications:

a) The value of shall be taken as the value 1/2 of  for dry backfill.
b) The value of θ shall be taken as follows:

  t Ah 
  tan 1  
  b 1  Av  (Eq. F.7)

Where

= saturated unit weight of soil (kN/m3)

= submerged unit weight of soil (kN/m3)

Ah= elastic seismic coefficient

Av=vertical seismic coefficient= 2/3 Ah

c) Buoyant unit weight shall be used in equation F.1 and F.3 as the case may be

d) From the value of earth pressure found out as above, subtract the value of earth pressure
determined by putting Av=Ah=θ=0 but using buoyant unit weight. The remainder shall be
dynamic increment.

F.2.3 Hydrodynamic pressure on account of water contained in earthfill shall not be considered
separately as the effect of acceleration on water has been considered indirectly.

F.3 Partially Submerged Backfill

The situations with partial submerged backfill may be handled by weighing unit weights based on
the volume of soil in the failure wedge above and below the phreatic surface as shown in Figure
F2. Equation F.7 shall be used to calculate θ using instead of . Then total active and passive
pressure can be obtained from equation F.1 and F.2 using equivalent unit weight ( )

65
F.4 Concrete or Masonry Inertia Forces - Concrete or masonry inertia forces due to 'horizontal and
vertical earthquake accelerations are the products of the weight of wall and the horizontal and
vertical seismic coefficients respectively.

NOTE - To ensure adequate factor of safety under earthquake condition, the design shall be such
that the factor of safety against sliding shall be 1.25 and the resultant of all the forces including
earthquake force shall fall within the middle three-fourths of the base width provided. In addition,
bearing pressure in soil should not exceed the permissible limit.

l2 l
Tan(900   )  
h1 h
l2 h1

l h
Area  Area1  Area2
1
lh 2
Area1 2 2 1  h1 
  
lh  h 
Area 1
2
  Area1   2  Area2
e  1
Area
Area1  Area1 
e   1  1   2
Area  Area 
h 
2
  h 2 
 e   1   1  1   1   2
h   h  

Figure F 2: Effective unit weight for partially submerged backfills

Notes:
(1) Exact solution when ru = 0
(2) Approximate Solution when ru> 0.

66
 Appendix – (G) Simplified Procedure for Evaluation of
Liquefaction Potential
(Clause 13.3)
G-1 Cohesionless Soils
Due to the difficulties in obtaining and laboratory testing of undisturbed representative
samples from most potentially liquefiable sites, in-situ testing is often relied upon for
assessing the liquefaction potential of cohesion less soils. Liquefaction potential assessment
procedures involving both the SPT and CPT are widely used in practice. The most common
procedure used in engineering practice for the assessment of liquefaction potential of sands
and silts is the Simplified Procedure1. The procedure may be used with either SPT blow count,
CPT tip resistance or shear wave velocity measured within the deposit as discussed below:
Step 1:The subsurface data used to assess liquefaction susceptibility should include the
location of the water table, either SPT blow count (N), or tip resistance of a standard CPT
cone (qc) or the shear wave velocity, mean gran size (D50), unit weight, and fines content of
the soil (percent by weight passing the IS Standard Sieve No. 75 µ).

 
Step 2: Evaluate the total vertical stress (v) and effective vertical stress  v' for all
potentially liquefiable layers within the deposit.
Step 3: The following equation can be used to evaluate the stress reduction factor rd :
rd=1-0.00765z for z <9.15 m and
rd=1.174 -0.0267z for 9.15 <z <23 m
Where z is the depth below the ground surface in meters.
Step 4: Calculate the critical stress ratio induced by the design earthquake, CSR, as;
CSR = 0.65(amax / g )rd ( v /  v )
'

Where vand  v are the total and effective vertical stresses, respectively, at depth z, amax is
'

the peak horizontal ground acceleration (PHGA), and g is the acceleration due to gravity. In
the absence of site specific estimates of amax, the PHGA may be estimated by amax/g=ZISa/g,
where Z is the zone factor obtained from Table-3 as described earlier, I is the importance
factor as per Table-4 and Sa/g is response spectrum acceleration coefficient obtained from
Clause 7.1. For estimating the vertical total and effective stresses, the water table should be
assumed at the highest piezometric elevation likely to be encountered during the operational
life of the dam or the embankment except where there is a free standing water column. For
assessing liquefaction potential of soil layers underneath free standing water column, the
height of free standing water should be neglected and water table should be assumed at the
soil surface.

For assessing liquefaction susceptibility using the SPT go to Step 5a, for the CPT go to Step
5b, and the shear wave velocity go to Step 5c, to compute cyclic resistance ratio (CRR7.5) for
Mw 7.5 earthquakes. Cyclic resistance ratio, CRR for sites for earthquakes of other
magnitudes or for sites underlain by non-horizontal soil layers or where vertical effective
stress exceeds 1 atmospheric pressure is estimated by multiplying CRR7.5 by three correction
factors, km, kα and kσ respectively. Here correction factors for magnitude sloped stratigraphy
and effective stress has been denoted with symbols km, kα and kσ, respectively. These
correction factors are obtained from figures G-1, G-2 and G-3.

67
Step 5a:
Evaluate the standardized SPT blow count (N60) which is the standard penetration test blow
count for a hammer with an efficiency of 60 percent. Specifications of the “standardized”
equipmentcorresponding to an efficiency of 60 percent are given in Table G-1 in the absence
of test-specific energy measurement. The standardized SPT blow count is obtained from the
equation:
N60 =N.C60
WhereC60is the product of various correction factors. Correction factors recommended by
various investigators for some common SPT configurations are provided in Table G-2.
Calculate the normalized standardized SPT blow count, (N1)60 using (N1)60 = CNN60, where
(N1)60 is the standardized blow count

normalized to an effective overburden pressure of 98kPa in order to eliminate the influence

of confining pressure. Stress normalization factor CN is calculated from following expression:

 
1
C N  Pa /  v' 2

Subjected to CN< 2, where Pa is the atmospheric pressure. However, the closed-form

expression proposed by Liao and Whitman (1986) may also be used:

 
1
C N  9.79 1 /  v' 2

The Critical Resistance Ratio (CRR) or the resistance of a soil layer against liquefaction is
estimated from Figure G-5 for representative (N1)60 value of the deposit.
Step 5b:
 
Calculate normalized cone tip resistance, (qc1N)cs, using (qc1N)cs= K c Pa /  v' qc / Pa 
n

Where qc is the measured cone tip resistance corrected for thin layers, exponent n has a
value of 0.5 for sand and 1 for clay, and Kc is the correction factor for grain characteristics
estimated as follows.
Kc=1.0 for Ic< 1.64 and

K c  0.403I c4  5.581I c3  21.63I c2  33.751c  17.88 for I c  1.64

The soil behavior type index, Ic, is given by Ic = 3.47  log Q 2  1.22  log F 2
Where Q  qc   v  / Pq Pa /  v  , F   f /(qc   v ) 100 , f is the measured sleeve friction
' n

and n has the same values as described earlier. Assess susceptibility of a soil to liquefaction
using Figure G-6.
The CRR for a soil layer is estimated from Figure G-6 using the (qc1N)cs value representative
of the layer.
Although soils with Ic>2.6 are deemed non-liquefiable, such deposits may soften and deform
during earthquakes. General guidance is not available to deal with such possibilities.
Softening and deformability of deposits with Ic>2.6 should thus be treated on a material
specific basis.
Step 5c:
68
 
Calculate normalized shear wave velocity,Vs1, for clean sands using: Vs1  Vs  Pa /  v 
' 0.25

subjected to Vs1 <1.3XVs .

The CRR for a soil layer is estimated from Figure G-7 using the Vs1 value representative of
the layer.
Appropriate CRR-Vs1 curve should be used in this assessment depending on the fines content
of the layer.

Step 6: Correct CRR7.5 for earthquake magnitude (Mw), stress level and for initial static
shear using correction factors km,k and k , respectively, according to:

CRR = CRR7.5.kM k.k

where, km, kσ, kα are correction factors, respectively for magnitude correction (Figure G-1),
effective overburden correction (Figure G-2) and sloping ground correction (Figure G-3), in
combination with Figure G-4. The Critical Stress ratio CRR7.5is estimated from Figure G-5 for
SPT, Figure G-6 for CPT and Figure G-7 for shear wave velocity data.

Step 7: Calculate the factor of safety against initial liquefaction, FS , as:

FS= CRR/CSR

WhereCSR is as estimated in Step 4 and CRR is from Step 6a, 6b or 6c. When the design
ground motion is conservative, earthquake-related permanent ground deformation is
generally small if FS>1.1 .

G-2 Cohesive Soils

Cohesive soils are often deemed to be non-liquefiable if any one of the following conditions
is not satisfied (Figure G-8a):

• Percent (by weight) finer than 5 μm<15 %

• wl<35 %
• wn< 0.9 xwl

wherewl is the Liquid Limit and andwn is the Natural Moisture Content, respectively. These
conditions are collectively referred to as the Chinese Criteria. Since the Chinese Criteria are
not always conservative, Seed et al. recommend the following alternative (Figure G-8b):

• Cohesive soils should be considered liquefiable if wl< 37 %, Ip< 12 % and wn<0.85 <wl,
where Ip is the Plasticity Index
• Liquefaction susceptibility of soils should be considered marginal if wl< 47 %, Ip< 20 %
and wn<0.85 <wl, where Ip is the Plasticity Index and for such soils liquefaction
susceptibility should be obtained from laboratory testing of undisturbed representative
samples
Cohesive soils should be considered non-liquefiable if wl>47 % or Ip>20 % or wn>0.85 >wl,
where Ip is the Plasticity Index

69
 Table G-1: Recommended “Standardized” SPT Equipment

Element Standard Specification

Sampler Standard split-spoon sampler with: (a) Outside

diameter = 51 mm, and Inside Diameter = 35 mm
(constant – i.e., no room for liners in the barrel)

Drill Rods A or AW-type for depths less than 15.2 m; N- or NW-

type for greater depths

Hammer Standard (safety) hammer: (a) drop hammer (b)

weight = 65 kg; (c) drop = 750 mm (d) delivers 60%
of the theoretical potential energy

Rope Two wraps of rope around the pulley

Borehole 100 to 130mm diameter borehole

Drill Bit Upward deflection of drilling mud (tricone or baffled

drag bit)

Blow Count Rate 30 to 40 blows per minute

Penetration Resistant Count Measured over range of 150 to 450 mm of

penetration into the ground

Notes:
(1) If
the equipment meets the above specifications, N = N60 and only a
correction for overburden are needed.
(2) This
specification is essentially the same to the ASTM D 1586
standard.

70
Table G-2: Correction Factors for Non-Standard SPT Procedures and Equipment

Correction for Correction Factor

Nonstandard Hammer Type CHT =0.75 for DH with rope and pulley CHT
=1.33 for DH with trip/auto and ER = 80
(DH= doughnut hammer; ER = energy
ratio)

Nonstandard Hammer Weight or H W

C HW 
Height of fall 63.4  762
(H = height of fall in mm; W = hammer
weight in kg)

Nonstandard Sampler Setup (standard CSS =1.10 for loose sand

samples with room for
CSS =1.20 for dense sand
liners, but used without liners

Nonstandard Sampler Setup (standard CSS =0.90 for loose sand

samples with room for
CSS =0.80 for dense sand
liners, but liners are used)

Short Rod Length CRL =0.75 for rod length 0-3 m

Nonstandard Borehole Diameter CBD =1.05 for 150 mm borehole diameter

CBD =1.15 for 200 mm borehole diameter

Notes:
N = Uncorrected SPT blow count.
C60 = CHT CHW CSS CRL CBD
N60 = N C60
CN = Correction factor for overburden pressure
(N1)60 = CN N60 = CN C60 N

71
Figure G-1: Magnitude Correction factor

Figure G-2: Stress Correction factor

72
 = τho / σv

Figure G-3: Correction for initial static shear (Note: Initial static shear for an
embankment may be estimated from Figure G-4)

73
z 
P
  x 

 R 
 x    x  2 x loge 2 
 R1 
P
 xz   Z

P  2
1
 
 
1
2 

   x  z loge
 
2 R 2
   
2 


R1   
1
PZ  
2 2
R2
 max  Log   2

  R1 
3 

Figure G-4: Initial static shear under an embankment

74
Critical Stress Ration (CSR) or Critical Resistance Ration (CRR)

Figure G-5: Relationship between CRR and (N1)60 for sand for Mw, 7.5 earthquakes

75
 7.5

Figure G-6: Relationship between CRR and (qc1N)cs for Mw, 7.5 earthquakes
CRR 7.5
Critical

Figure G-7: Relationship between CRR and Vs1 for Mw 7.5 earthquakes

76
77
Appendix – (H) System property modification factors
(Clause 17.3)

H-1 General
Kd,max = Kdxmax,Kd and Kd,min = Kdxmin,Kd
Qd,max = Qd x max,Qd and Qd,min = Qdxmin,Qd

These factors are given by

min,Kd = min,t,Kd x min,a,Kd x min,v,Kd x min,tr,Kd x min,c,Kd x min,scrag,Kd

max,Kd = max,t,Kd x max,a,Kd x max,v,Kd x max,tr,Kd x max,c,Kd x max,scrag,Kd

min,Qd = min,t,Qd x min,a,Qd x min,v,Qd x min,tr,Qd x min,c,Qdxmin,scrag,Qd

max,Qd = max,t,Qd x max,a,Qdxmax,v,Qd x max,tr,Qdxmax,c,Qd x max,scrag,Qd

Where,
t = factors to account for effect of temperature
a = factors to account for effect of aging
v = factors to account for effect of velocity (including freq. for elastomeric bearings)
tr = factors to account for effect of travel (wear)
c = factors to account for effect of contamination (in sliding system)
scrag = factors to account for effect of scragging a bearing (in elastomeric systems)

H-2 Elastomeric bearings

Factors for max

Factors for min max,v = Established by test

min = 1.0 for Kd and Qd max,c= 1.0

max,tr = Established by test

max,a= See Table H 2.1

max,t= See Table H 2.2

max,scrag= See Table H 2.3

78
 Table H - 2.1: Value of max,a

max,a

Kd Qd

Low-Damping natural rubber 1.1 1.1

High-Damping rubber with small difference between scragged and 1.2 1.2
unscragged properties

High-Damping rubber with large difference between scragged and 1.3 1.3
unscragged properties

Lead - 1.0

Neoprene 3.0 3.0

Table H - 2.2: Value of max,t

max,t
Minimum Temp
for design
Qd Kd
o
C HDRB1 HDRB2 LDRB2 HDRB1 HDRB2 LDRB2

21 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0

0 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.2 1.1 1.1

-10 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.2 1.1

-30 2.5 2.0 1.5 2.0 1.4 1.3

HDRB = High damping rubber bearing

LDRB = Low damping rubber bearing
1
Large difference in scragged and unscragged properties (more than 25%)
2
Small differences in scragged and unscragged properties

79
 Table H - 2.3: Value of max,scrag

max,scrag

Qd Kd

HDRB with HDRB with HDRB with HDRB

LDRB βeff ≤0.15 βeff ≤0.15 LDRB βeff ≤0.15 with βeff ≤0.15

1.0 1.2 1.5 1.0 1.2 1.8

H-3 Sliding Isolation system

Factors for max

Factors for minmax,v= does not apply

min = 1.0 for Kd and Qd max,a= See Table H 3.1

max,c= See Table H 3.2

max,tr= See Table H 3.3

max,t= See Table H 3.4

Table H – 3.1: Value of max,a

max,a

Unlubricated Lubricated Bimetallic Interfaces

PTFE PTFE

Condition Sealed Unsealed Sealed Unsealed Sealed Unsealed

Environment
Normal 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 2.0 2.2

Severe 1.2 1.5 1.4 1.8 2.2 2.5

80
 Table H – 3.2: Value of max,c

max,c

Unlubricated Lubricated Bimetallic

Interfaces
PTFE PTFE

Sealed with stainless steel surface facing down 1.0 1.0 1.0

Sealed with stainless steel surface facing up* 1.1 1.1 1.1

Unsealed with stainless steel surface facing down 1.1 3.0 1.1

Unsealed with stainless steel surface facing up Not Allowed Not Allowed Not Allowed

Table H – 3.3: Value of max,tr

Cumulative Travel max,c

Unlubricated Lubricated Bimetallic Interfaces

(M) PTFE* PTFE

1005

< 2010 1.1 1.1 To be established by test

> 2010 1.1 3.0 To be established by test

* Test data based on 1/8-inch sheet, recessed by 1/16 inch and bonded.

Table H – 3.4: Value of max,t

Minimum Temp for max,t

design

Unlubricated Lubricated
0C Bimetallic Interfaces
PTFE PTFE

21 1.0 1.0 To be established by

test
0 1.1 1.3

-10 1.2 1.5

-30 1.5 3.0

81
 APPENDIX J
Post-Earthquake Operations and Inspections

1.0 - Post Earthquake Operations and Inspections

The response of railway tracks and bridges to an earthquake would depend on distance fromepicenter
and nature of attenuation. The post-earthquake train operations in the region shall becautiously started.

1.1 - Operations
After an earthquake is reported, the operating department shall notify all the trains and engines
within150 km radius of the reporting area to either stop or run at restricted speed of 10 Kmph(depending
upon intensity reported from the area) until magnitude and epicentre (and corresponding response
level) havebeen determined by the Senior Divisional Engineer of the section. After determination of the
magnitude and epicenter,response levels given in Table 1 and 2 will govern the operations.

Table – 1 Specified Radius of Different Earthquake

Earthquake
Response Level Specified Radius
Magnitude(Richter)
0- 4.99 I No action
5.0 – 5.99 II 80 km
III 160 km
6.0 – 6.99
II 240 km
III *
7.0 or above
II *

* As directed by CBE, but not less than the radius specified for Earthquakes of magnitude between
6.0 – 6.99 of Richter scale.

Table –2 Details of Response Level

Response
Details
level
Resume maximum operation speed. The need for inspectionswillbe determined
I
by Sr. DEN responsible for maintenance of P.Way.
All trains and engines will run at restricted speed of 30 Kmph over all Major,
Important and Girder bridges within the specified radius of theepicenter until
II
inspections have been made by PWI, Asst PWI and ADEN and appropriate
speeds established by consulting sectional Sr. DEN.
All trains and Engines within the specified radius of the epicenter must stop
andmay not proceed until proper inspections have been performed by PWI or
Asst PWI or BRI or ADEN and appropriatespeed restrictions established by
III consulting Sectional Sr. DEN for damaged bridges and other locations. On all
important and Major bridges, before relaxation of the speed to normal, detailed
inspection should be carried out by Sectional Sr. DEN and an Engineer deputed
by CBE together.
1.2 - Post Earthquake Inspection

82
The following list provides a general guideline for an inspection procedure:
1.2.1 - Track and Roadbed
During the post-earthquake inspection, following items shall be observed:
o Line, surface and cross level irregularities caused by embankment slides or liquefaction
o Track buckling or pull apart due to soil movement
o Offset across fault rupture
o Disturbed ballast
o Cracks or slope failures in embankments
o Slides and/or potential slides in cuts, including loose rocks that could fall in an aftershock
o Scour due to tsunami in coastal area

Potential for scour or ponding against embankment due to changes in water course
1.2.2 - Bridges
Following an earthquake, inspectors may need to travel by rail between bridges. River bed may
get flooded, hence, to quickly reach the bearings; alternate access routes shall be made. In steel
bridges following shall be observed carefully:
o Displaced or damaged bearings
o Stretched or broken anchor bolts
o Distress in viaduct tower
o Buckled columns or bracings
o Tension distress in main members or bracings
o Displaced substructure elements

Concrete bridge inspection shall include the following :

o Displacement at bearings
o Displaced substructure elements
o Cracks in superstructure
o Cracks in substructure

Inspection team shall also look for items which may fall on track. At an ROB, attention shall be
given to reduced span at bearings, damages to column and Restrainer system. If there area
adjacent buildings to railway track, then such buildings shall also be inspected to ensure if they
can withstand aftershocks. Inspection team shall also look for damages to the power lines passing
over the track.

83