Fragility Analysis Framework for Bridges Subjected to Successive Natural Hazards

AbstractBridges are key parts of transportation networks and hence, their post-hazard condition is vital for the recovery of the regions affected by natural hazards. However, the fact that they are often subjected to more than one destructive natural hazard during their life span resulting in accumulated damage that may influence their capacity has attracted relatively little research interest, while almost no design standards take it into consideration. The multiple hazard events may be successive single events, separated by considerable time intervals (e.g. an earthquake followed by a flood event), combined or cascading multiple-hazard events (e.g, landslide after an earthquake), or even simultaneous events. The main objective of this study is to propose an effective framework for the development of multiple-hazard fragility curves of bridges considering the effect of subsequent events and taking into account different possible damage scenarios of the bridge critical components, i.e. piers, bearings and the abutment-backfill systems. In this framework, the effect of the damage level of the critical components and their interdependence on the fragility assessment for multiple events is examined and compared with the bridge fragility for single events. A pilot case study is also included in the present work, aiming to highlight the effect of the initial damage state on the final fragility estimate of a typical riverine bridge.Keywords: Multi-hazardseismic hazardflood hazardfragilitybridgesubsequent events AcknowledgmentsThe research project was supported by the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation (H.F.R.I.) under the “2nd Call for H.F.R.I. Research Projects to support Faculty Members & Researchers” (Project Number: 04140).Disclosure StatementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).Data Availability StatementThe data supporting the results of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.Additional informationFundingThis work was supported by Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation (H.F.R.I): [Grant Number 2nd Call for H.F.R.I. Research Projects to support].