Multi-Failure Mode Risk Assessment of the Houston/Galveston Bridge System to Hurricane Threats

Date
2012
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
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Abstract

This research implements the first Houston/Galveston area hurricane risk assessment of bridges for multiple failure modes: bridge deck uplift and bridge scour. Due to recent hurricane damage of bridges, emergency managers need to understand the potential state of the bridge network immediately following a storm for effective mitigation and post-event planning. To that end, this study builds a new database of bridge information necessary for vulnerability modeling, adapts current deterministic models of bridge deck uplift and scour for a probabilistic framework and expands the scour models to include a qualitative estimate for embankment scour. The study area bridges are tested under various hurricane scenario events to reveal the likelihood of damage. Potential applications include retrofit prioritization, real-time spatial damage modeling and better informed preparation. By understanding the risk hurricanes pose to the bridge system, emergency officials can better plan rescue and recovery efforts before a storm impacts the Texas coast.

Description
Degree
Master of Science
Type
Thesis
Keywords
Applied sciences, Civil engineering
Citation

Arnold, Candase Dawn. "Multi-Failure Mode Risk Assessment of the Houston/Galveston Bridge System to Hurricane Threats." (2012) Master’s Thesis, Rice University. https://hdl.handle.net/1911/70204.

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