Estimation of Seismic Expected Annual Losses for Multi-Span Continuous RC Bridge Portfolios Using a Component-Level Approach

A method for the estimation of expected annual losses under seismic action, using a component-level approach, is proposed. The method follows the general steps of current Performance-Based Earthquake Engineering approaches and two distinct alternatives are evaluated depending on how the collapse cases are identified. Results are compared with a commonly implemented structure level approach, showing that the latter presents an upper bound in loss estimation. The accuracy of simplified structural analysis alternatives, such as nonlinear static procedures, is also evaluated. The method is found to be suitable for economic loss assessment under seismic hazards, producing performance measures easy to understand for different decision makers.