Ziel
Problems to be solved
Many underground water pipelines were built without adequate earthquake protection; they are old and may have been subjected to aggressive environmental stressors that have resulted in corrosion, settlement, soil erosion and caused their seismic structural resistance to decrease. Damages to those pipelines during earthquakes are unavoidable and losses can be substantial. Preventive mitigation by upgrading existing pipelines for seismic resistance is cost effective for failure critical ones. This work aims to assess the structural reliability of deteriorating underground water pipelines (especially the asbestos cement ones) and develop a decision-support system (DSS) for upgrading and keep them in service following a major earthquake. Scientific objectives and approach The objectives of the proposed research are: to develop a methodology for the quantitative assessment of deteriorating underground water pipelines. and implement this methodology in the case of asbestos cement, concrete, ductile iron, steel, PVC and PE pipelines; to validate the predictive ability of the above methodology in laboratory simulated conditions and to produce a decision- support- system (DSS).To test the validity of the above assessment of seismic resistance, intact corroded asbestos cement pipes will be subjected to seismic loads in laboratory experiments The above will be translated into a software programme in the form of a DSS for the seismic upgrading of critical water pipelines, in order to remain in service following an earthquake. Furthermore, the user friendliness, usefulness, accuracy of results of the proposed DSS, as well as the lifecycle costs of the main rehabilitation and replacement options for the above pipelines will be assessed.
Expected impacts
The proposed decision-support system (DSS) for upgrading water pipelines, if proved under experimental and field conditions could be very promising for the markets of seismic active countries of Southern Europe (there are about 6000 water utilities in the earthquake prone countries of EU), the Balkans, South America, Asia and Japan. This project will improve the competitiveness of the European industry on pipeline seismic upgrading, the post earthquake service condition and increase people's safety.
Wissenschaftliches Gebiet
Programm/Programme
Thema/Themen
Aufforderung zur Vorschlagseinreichung
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CSC - Cost-sharing contractsKoordinator
26221 PATRAS
Griechenland