Fragility Assessment of Transportation Infrastructure Systems Subjected to Earthquakes

Abstract

This paper provides a review of the different methodologies for the fragility assessment of critical transportation infrastructure subjected to earthquake excitations with emphasis placed on geotechnical effects. Available approaches to fragility analysis are summarized, along with the main parameters and limitations. Additionally, definitions of damage are synthesized for the individual transportation assets and subsequently the definition of system of assets (SoA) is introduced. Numerical fragility curves are developed for a representative SoA subjected to seismic excitations. The paper concludes with the gaps in the area of fragility analysis and the needs for future development.