Assessing Seismic Risks and Alternative Mitigation Strategies For Continuous Operation of Critical Infrastructure

Abstract

Critical infrastructures are essential in sustaining economic and social stability and ensuring national security, particularly their resilience in delivering services during earthquakes. This study introduces an analytical methodology for quantifying potential earthquake risks to power stations and assessing the cost-effectiveness of enhancing seismic resistance. This work includes fragility curves and probabilistic risk analyses, offering a structured approach to evaluate risks and thoroughly explore economically viable mitigation strategies. The research provides an in-depth evaluation of measures to safeguard critical components of power stations from seismic events, demonstrating that modest investments in earthquake-proofing can significantly reduce the risk of power station failures by 36% while only constituting a minor portion (0.5%) of the overall project budget. The emphasis is on strengthening critical elements such as switching stations, water treatment facilities, and water tanks to maintain their functionality during and after seismic events. By integrating risk assessment with benefit-to-cost-analysis, the research supports strategic investment decisions in critical infrastructure improvements, promising significant risk mitigation at minimal costs and thus safeguarding essential services from the impacts of natural disasters. This work contributes to advancing the field of critical infrastructures resilience.