3. Main changes compared to previous practices based on AFD92 rules

While the main principles of bridge design described in the European standard Eurocode 8-2 are broadly in line with the practices inherited from the application of the former PS92 rules, there have been several significant changes compared with these previous design rules. In particular, these changes concern :

• representation of the seismic hazard, qualification of soils and site effects;

• the introduction of the principle of limited ductility and the "cracked inertia" calculation;

• explicit introduction of the principle of capacity sizing ;

• zones of application and definition of earthquake-resistant construction provisions;

• integration of non-linear calculation methods and special "shock absorber" devices....