Seismic vulnerability classification of roads

Abstract

Experience from past earthquakes all over the world showed that the road network could undergo heavy damages. To prevent these damages, vulnerability studies must be carried out.The purpose of this study is to develop a seismic vulnerability assessment method for roads. The methodology is based on determination of a numerical indicator called Vulnerability Index (VI). To achieve this, the main parameters that influence the seismic behaviour of roads are identified on the basis of the worldwide seismic feedback experience and data from past Algerian earthquakes. Furthermore, the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) is used to quantify the identified parameters and define an analytical expression of the ‘VI’. A classification of the seismic vulnerability of road sections is proposed, according to the obtained Vulnerability Index (VI) value.To exhibit the efficiency of the developed method, several road sections are studied and the obtained results are in good adequacy with in-situ observations. Moreover, in order to assess the seismic vulnerability of an urban city road network, the developed model is combined to a GIS (Geographical Information System) to perform several earthquake scenarios and the results of Tipaza city are presented.