Design and Implementation of a Database for Seismic Evaluation of Structures

by Steven E. Rahmann, PDA Engineering, Costa Mesa, United States,
Gregory L. Fenves, (M.ASCE), PDA Engineering, Costa Mesa, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Computing in Civil Engineering

Abstract:

The seismic evaluation of large structures, such as bridges, requires a comprehensive framework for managing the data. An evaluation typically involves the dynamic analysis of a number of different models to many ground motion records, and an comparison of computed demands (from the analyses) with capacity estimates for various limit states of behavior. To aid in the evaluation of bridge structures, a database has been designed and implemented to store and manage information about: the structural models and loads, including ground motion records; computed responses from nonlinear dynamic analysis of the models; and the demand-to-capacity ratios for limit states defined for the members, connections, and components of the structure. The database was designed using the entity-relationship methodology. The design of the database is documented using entity-relationship diagrams and the EXPRESS language. The EXPRESS code was automatically translated to a schema definition in SQL for a relational database. Several examples showing the use of the database for seismic evaluation of a bridge demonstrate the utility of database technology for managing the large amount of data in a thorough seismic evaluation of a structure.

Subject Headings: Databases | Seismic tests | Computer models | Structural analysis | Data analysis | Seismic loads | Ground motion

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