Analysis of influence of seismic impact on evacuability in subway stations

Abstract

Disasters in subway systems pose significant threats to urban safety, particularly as urban transportation increasingly relies on underground public transport networks. This study aims to assess the impacts of seismic events on subway station structures and their evacuation routes, focusing on a human-centric approach to disaster preparedness. Using PLAXIS 2D for dynamic numerical simulations and the Dijkstra Algorithm for evacuation modeling, this research investigates how structural damage from earthquakes affects the evacuability of subway stations. The findings highlight that as earthquake magnitude increases, evacuation routes become significantly more constrained, leading to a sharp rise in evacuation difficulty and potential bottlenecks, thereby exacerbating the risk of casualties. Additionally, the analysis found that structural sections located on softer ground are more susceptible to severe damage, further impeding evacuation efforts. By addressing the practical implications of seismic impacts on evacuation routes, this work provides comprehensive insights into the risks faced by subway station occupants during seismic events. The study offers insights for enhancing emergency response strategies and underscores the necessity for a multidisciplinary approach to disaster preparedness, integrating structural engineering and evacuation route design to ensure the safety and resilience of urban subway systems during emergencies.