Seismic risk analysis and management of civil infrastructure systems

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Many regions, both in the eastern and western provinces of Canada, are prone to moderate to high seismic hazards. Reported seismic induced damages of the 1994 Northridge earthquake highlighted vulnerability of North American infrastructure systems. The seismic hazards, coupled with older, vulnerable infrastructures, pose the potential for damage and loss of life. The economic impact of seismic induced damage, on the Lower Mainland of British Columbia alone, has been estimated at 14.3 to 32.1 billion dollars. Evaluating and retrofitting every vulnerable building is costly undertaking, and requires a risk-based prioritization. Risk analysis focuses on identifying potential failure scenarios in terms of the probability of occurrence and consequences. Risk management is a process of selecting and implementing strategies to mitigate damages and minimize the consequences of failure.