South Carolina
is home to the site of the most damaging earthquake ever
recorded in the eastern United States. The South Carolina
Department of Transportation (SCDOT) Bridge Design Office
has developed specifications to help bridge engineers safeguard
against major failures and loss of life, to minimize damage,
maintain functions, and/or provide for expedited repair.
The Seismic Design Specifications for Highway Bridges provide
engineers design criteria, analysis methods and detailing
procedures for the preparation of highway bridge plans.
The primary function of the Specifications is to provide
minimum requirements for use in bridge design to maintain
public safety should an earthquake occur in the state of
South Carolina. The bridge performance levels are established
based on the importance and expected
post-earthquake usage of bridges.