ENLIGHTENMENT IN BRIDGE SEISMIC DESIGN AND SEISMIC ZONATION FROM WENCHUAN EARTHQUAKE

This paper is based on 16 surveys since the occurrence of Wenchuan earthquake. Taking Wenchuan Earhquake, Jiujiang-Ruichang Earthquake and Tangshan Earthquake as examples, some problems in seismic zonation of China were discussed. It was pointed out that strong earthquakes have taken place in the above regions much more frequently than indicated by the zonation map. By reviewing the state-of-the-art of the seismic zonation of China, USA and Japan, the developing trend was studied and the multi-level seismic zonation map of China was put forward. Then the aseismic performance of various bridge types was analyzed and the importance of the concept design was stated. Finally, some suggestions on seismic zonation, aseismic performance evaluation, and seismic design were proposed.