A computational platform to assess liquefaction-induced loss at critical infrastructures scale

Abstract

In the framework of the multi-disciplinary LIQUEFACT project, funded under the European Commission's Horizon 2020 program, the LIQUEFACT Reference Guide software has been developed, incorporating both data and methodologies collected and elaborated in the project's various work packages. Specifically, this refers to liquefaction hazard maps, methodologies and results of liquefaction vulnerability analysis for both building typologies and critical infrastructures, liquefaction mitigation measures as well as cost-benefit considerations. The software is targeting a wider range of user groups with different levels of technical background as well as requirements (urban planners, facility managers, structural and geotechnical engineers, or risk modelers). In doing so, the LIQUEFACT software shall allow the user assessing the liquefaction-related risk as well as assisting them in liquefaction mitigation planning. Dependent on the user's requirements, the LIQUEFACT software can be used to separately conduct the liquefaction hazard analysis, the risk analysis, and the mitigation analysis. At the stage of liquefaction hazard, the users can geolocate their assets (buildings or infrastructures) against the pre-defined macrozonation and microzonation maps in the software and identify those assets/sites that are potentially susceptible to an earthquake-induced liquefaction damage hazard. For potentially susceptible sites the user is able to commission a detailed ground investigation (e.g. CPT, SPT or V S30 profile) and this data can be used by the software to customise the level of susceptibility to specific site conditions. The users can either use inbuilt earthquake scenarios or enter their own earthquake scenario data. In the Risk Analysis, the user can estimate the level of impact of the potential liquefaction threat on the asset and evaluate the performance. For the Mitigation Analysis, the user can develop a customized mitigation framework based on the outcome of the risk and cost-benefit analysis.

Cost–benefit analysis to appraise technical mitigation options for earthquake-induced liquefaction disaster events

“…The liquefaction CBA model was developed as part of a wider RAIF that used an action research methodology to develop, test and refine LIQUEFACT project tools within a built asset management model (Jones et al , 2021). The CBA tool was developed and tested during a two-day workshop (16–17 April 2019) during which the impact of earthquake-induced liquefaction on a hypothetical hospital scenario was modelled and the alternative soil mitigation options were evaluated, using the LIQUEFACT-LRG software (Meslem et al , 2021). The workshop was structured around the CBA process model (Figure 1) and involved detailed discussions between researchers to explore the usability of the CBA from an end-user perspective (each researcher took a different end-user perspective depending on their research background).…”

“…Depending on the severity of the liquefaction, structures can undergo damage such as stretching, hogging, dishing, racking/twisting, tilting, global and differential settlement (Van Ballegooy et al , 2014). In addition to damage to buildings and consequential business disruption (Meslem et al , 2021), liquefaction can, in very rare cases, result in death or serious injury to citizens (Daniell et al , 2017; Marano et al , 2010). Analysing losses since 1900 onwards, Daniell et al (2017) reported 3 deaths during the 1995 Kobe event; 2 deaths during the 1964 Niigata; and 16 deaths associated with 1935 Taiwan liquefaction event.…”

Critical Infrastructures Overview: Past, Present and Future

“…It is also interesting to mention the research developed by Johnson et al [14] in which the use of probabilistic risk analysis (PRA) for critical infrastructure is proposed. Technological innovation also makes it possible to process data capable of defining resilient models of critical infrastructure as clarified by Meslem et al [15] who developed a customized framework/software based on the outcome of the risk and cost-benefit analysis relating to the liquefaction risk. Furthermore, Veeraraghavan et al [16] have developed a software to monitor CIs, in this case an open-source software for seismic risk assessment.…”

Macromechanism Approach for Vulnerability Assessment of Buildings on Shallow Foundations in Liquefied Soils

“…For this reason, it has been termed the macro-mechanism approach. The procedure presented here has been applied in an extensive parametric study described in Viana da Fonseca et al (2018) for the development of the fragility functions for the loss assessment LIQUEFACT software (Meslem et al 2019), and to assess liquefaction-induced loss at critical infrastructure as described by Meslem et al (2021).…”