SEISMIC RISK ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF LIFELINES, UTILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURES

Vulnerability assessment and seismic risk management using advanced methodologies are of major importance for the reduction of seismic risk in urban areas. The development of an advanced and integrated methodological tool for the efficient seismic risk management of complex lifeline and utility systems is necessary for the establishment of efficient and effective mitigation schemes. To this end, a modular methodology has been recently developed in Greece in the framework of national and EU research projects for the vulnerability assessment and seismic risk management of lifelines, utilities and infrastructures. The general description of the methodology is provided, along with several representative example applications. Key factors of the methodology are the inventory, the typology, the fragility, the specific characteristics and the importance (global value) of the elements at risk, the development of seismic scenarios (seismic hazard) and the geotechnical characterization, with the detailed site response analysis. Based on estimated losses and assigned priorities, restoration policies and mitigation strategies could be defined. Furthermore, new developments and important aspects of the risk mitigation procedure are further analyzed and commented on, while the ongoing research efforts in Europe are shortly summarized. These new developments include mainly the systemic physical and socio-economic vulnerability and risk analysis, the incorporation of decision-making processes in the seismic rehabilitation studies and the use of real-time damage estimation for the reduction of potential impact on urban societies on the basis of timely and correct actions after a disastrous earthquake. Finally, specific guidelines are provided for the management and reduction of seismic risk of lifelines and infrastructures in urban environments.