Seismic Hazard Assessment Model for Urban Water Supply Networks

Abstract

A new seismic reliability evaluation model is proposed that quantifies the impact of earthquakes on hydraulic behavior of water supply networks. Probabilistic seismic events are produced in the target areas, and the depth of earthquake failure is evaluated by seismic reliability indicators. The developed model was applied to several case studies and used for an intensive examination on how a water supply system hydraulically responds to a seismic event and what system characteristics influence the system’s performance in the event of an earthquake. First, the system reliability of a real network in South Korea when subjected to earthquakes of various magnitudes and locations was quantified. Next, the reliabilities of full and simplified network models were evaluated to investigate how system layouts affect the reliability evaluation. Finally, networks with different configurations, pipe sizes, and system densities were compared with respect to the seismic reliability and various seismic damage indicators.