Performance-based comprehensive functional damage probability assessment framework for high-speed railway bridge under earthquake

Abstract Current seismic damage assessments for high-speed railway (HSR) bridges primarily focus on the overall structural safety, lacking evaluations from multiple performance perspectives, which affects the post-earthquake traffic decision-making for the bridges. This study proposes a performance-based comprehensive functional damage probability assessment framework for high-speed railway simply supported bridges (HSRSSBs) under earthquakes. The framework categorizes the functions of HSR bridges into three levels: post-earthquake traffic function (PTF), structural bearing function (SBF), and collapse resistance function (CRF), corresponding to the operational, structural safety, and structural integrity requirements of HSRSSB, respectively. By analyzing the damage states of key bridge components during earthquakes, the functional damage probability assessment indicators and classification thresholds are established according to various performance requirements. Damage probability calculations are conducted using the probability density evolution method and vulnerability method. Finally, based on the relationship between damage probabilities at different functional levels, a comprehensive damage probability assessment framework considering the three-level performance requirements of HSRSSBs is developed, and the influence of varying pier heights on the functional damage probability relationship is examined. The results indicate that current HSRSSB designs meet all performance requirements under frequent earthquakes. Under design-level earthquake conditions, the SBF remains in a slight damage state, while the PTF exhibits varying degrees of damage, which worsens as pier height increases. The pier structure satisfies seismic demands even under rare earthquake conditions.