SEISMIC DESIGN CRITERIA • JUNE 2006 • VERSION 1.
1. INTRODUCTION
The Caltrans Seismic Design Criteria (SDC) specify the minimum seismic design requirements that are necessary
to meet the performance goals established for Ordinary bridges in Memo to Designers (MTD) 20-1.
The SDC is a compilation of new seismic design criteria and existing seismic design criteria previously documented
in various locations. The goal is to update all the Offices of Structures Design (OSD) design manuals1 on a periodic
basis to reflect the current state of practice for seismic bridge design. As information is incorporated into the design
manuals, the SDC will serve as a forum to document Caltrans’ latest changes to the seismic design methodology.
Proposed revisions to the SDC will be reviewed by OSD management according to the process outlined in MTD 20-11.
The SDC applies to Ordinary Standard bridges as defined in Section 1.1. Ordinary Nonstandard bridges require
project specific criteria to address their non-standard features. Designers should refer to the OSD design manuals for
seismic design criteria not explicitly addressed by the SDC.
The following criteria identify the minimum requirements for seismic design. Each bridge presents a unique set of
design challenges. The designer must determine the appropriate methods and level of refinement necessary to design
and analyze each bridge on a case-by-case basis. The designer must exercise judgment in the application of these
criteria. Situations may arise that warrant detailed attention beyond what is provided in the SDC. The designer should
refer to other resources to establish the correct course of action. The OSD Senior Seismic Specialists, the OSD Earthquake
Committee, and the Earthquake Engineering Office of Structure Design Services and Earthquake Engineering (SDSEE)
should be consulted for recommendations.
Deviations to these criteria shall be reviewed and approved by the Section Design Senior or the Senior Seismic
Specialist and documented in the project file. Significant departures shall be presented to the Type Selection Panel
and/or the Design Branch Chief for approval as outlined in MTD 20-11.
This document is intended for use on bridges designed by and for the California Department of Transportation. It
reflects the current state of practice at Caltrans. This document contains references specific and unique to Caltrans and
may not be applicable to other parties either institutional or private.
1.1 Definition of an Ordinary Standard Bridge
A structure must meet all of the following requirements to be classified as an Ordinary Standard bridge:
• Span lengths less than 300 feet (90 m)
• Constructed with normal weight concrete girder, and column or pier elements
• Horizontal members either rigidly connected, pin connected, or supported on conventional bearings by
the substructure, isolation bearings and dampers are considered nonstandard components.
1 Caltrans Design Manuals:Bridge Design Specifications, Memo To Designers, Bridge Design Details, Bridge Design Aids, Bridge
Design Practice
SEISMIC DESIGN CRITERIA 1-1
SECTION 1 - INTRODUCTION
• Dropped bent caps or integral bent caps terminating inside the exterior girder, C-bents, outrigger bents,
and offset columns are nonstandard components.
• Foundations supported on spread footing, pile cap w/piles, or pile shafts
• Soil that is not susceptible to liquefaction, lateral spreading, or scour
1.2 Types of Components Addressed in the SDC
The SDC is focused on concrete bridges. Seismic criteria for structural steel bridges are being developed
independently and will be incorporated into the future releases of the SDC. In the interim, inquiries regarding the
seismic performance of structural steel components shall be directed to the Structural Steel Technical Specialist and
the Structural Steel Committee.
The SDC includes seismic design criteria for Ordinary Standard bridges constructed with the types of components
listed in Table 1.
Table 1
Superstructure Substructure Foundation Abutment
Cast-in-place Reinforced concrete Footings or pile caps End diaphragms
-- Re info rce d co ncre te -- Sing le co lumn b e nts Shafts Short seat
-- Po st-te nsio ne d co ncre te -- Multi-co lumn b e nts -- Mine d High cantilever
Precast -- Pie r walls -- CIDH
-- Re info rce d co ncre te -- Pile e xte nsio ns Piles
-- Pre -te nsio ne d co ncre te -- CISS
-- Po st-te nsio ne d co ncre te -- Pre cast P/S co ncre te
-- Ste e l p ip e
-- H Se ctio ns
-- CIDH
-- Pro p rie tary
1.3 Bridge Systems
A bridge system consists of superstructure and substructure components. The bridge system can be further
characterized as an assembly of subsystems. Examples of bridge subsystems include:
• Longitudinal frames separated by expansion joints
• Multi-column or single column transverse bents supported on footings, piles, or shafts
• Abutments
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SEISMIC DESIGN CRITERIA • JUNE 2006 • VERSION 1.4
Traditionally, the entire bridge system has been referred to as the global system, whereas an individual bent or
column has been referred to as a local system. It is preferable to define these terms as relative and not absolute measures.
For example, the analysis of a bridge frame is global relative to the analysis of a column subsystem, but is local relative
to the analysis of the entire bridge system.
1.4 Local and Global Behavior
The term “local” when pertaining to the behavior of an individual component or subsystem constitutes its response
independent of the effects of adjacent components, subsystems or boundary conditions. The term “global” describes
the overall behavior of the component, subsystem or bridge system including the effects of adjacent components,
subsystems, or boundary conditions. See Section 2.2.2 for the distinction between local and global displacements.
SEISMIC DESIGN CRITERIA 1-3
