An integrated multi-hazard risk and resilience assessment framework for buried pipeline networks

Risk and resilience assessment of buried pipeline networks is essential to better understanding of how our communities will respond to natural hazards. This study presents an integrated multi-hazard risk and resilience framework for pipeline networks subjected to earthquakes and moisture-induced differential swelling in expansive soils. The framework introduces multi-hazard fragility models developed using three-dimensional finite element analyses of soil–pipe interaction and statistical methods to quantify the combined effects of both hazards. Component-level damage probabilities are integrated into a GIS-based model to evaluate system-level functionality and resilience. The framework enables identification of the most vulnerable pipeline segments, supporting resilience-informed decisions on pipe replacement and soil improvement measures. An illustrative case study of the water distribution network in Lawton, Oklahoma, demonstrates the framework’s capability to quantify multi-hazard damage and assess system performance. Results show the effectiveness of the proposed approach for supporting risk-informed mitigation planning and enhancing infrastructure resilience.