The Earthquake Engineering Online Archive

Effective use of nonlinear analysis in bridge design

Powell, Graham H.

UCB/SEMM-1993/05, Dept. of Civil Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, 1993-04, 57 pages (500/C23/93/05)

This report assesses the present state of the art in the application of nonlinear structural analysis, with particular emphasis on bridge structures, and makes recommendations for future action. The report covers three broad areas as follows: (1) principles, with emphasis on modeling for analysis and the role of analysis in design; (2) procedures, with emphasis on how nonlinear analysis can be incorporated into the design process; (3) tools, with emphasis on the computer programs which are needed to support the design process.

Available online: http://nisee.berkeley.edu/documents/SEMM/SEMM-93-05.pdf (2 MB)