Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
CHAPTER 17
LIFELINE PERFORMANCE UNDER EXTREME LOADING DURING
EARTHQUAKES
T.D. O'Rourke
1
and A.L. Bonneau
2
1
Cornell University, Ithaca, USA
tdo1@cornell.edu
2
Cornell University, Ithaca, USA
alb66@cornell.edu
Abstract.
Soil-structure interaction under extreme loading conditions includes performance dur-
ing earthquakes, floods, landslides, large deformation induced by tunneling and deep excavations,
andsubsidencecausedbyseveredewateringorwithdrawalofmineralsandfluidsduringminingand
oilproduction.Suchloadingconditionsarebecomingincreasinglymoreimportantastechnologies
are developed to cope with natural hazards, human threats, and construction in congested urban
environments. This paper examines extreme loading conditions with reference to earthquakes,
which are used as an example of how extreme loading influences behavior locally and through-
out geographically distributed systems. The paper covers performance from the component to the
system-wide level to provide guidance in developing an integrated approach to the application of
geotechnology over large, geographically distributed networks. The paper describes the effects of
earthquake-inducedgrounddeformationonundergroundfacilities,andextendsthistreatmenttothe
system-wideperformanceoftheLosAngeleswatersupplyduringthe1994Northridgeearthquake.
Large-scaleexperimentstoevaluatesoil-structureinteractionunderextremeloadingconditionsare
describedwithreferencetotestsofabruptgroundruptureeffectsonundergroundpipelines.Large-
scale tests and the development of design curves are described for the forces imposed on pipelines
during ground failure.
1. Introduction
From a geotechnical perspective, extreme loading conditions are those that induce large
plastic, irrecoverable deformation in soil. They are often associated with significant geo-
metricchangesinthesoilmass,suchasshearrupture,heaveandvoidformation,andare
accompaniedbyapeak,ormaximum,interactionforceimposedonembeddedstructures.
Such loading takes soil well beyond the range of deformation related to the conventional
design of civil structures. It applies to performance under unusual, extreme conditions.
Such conditions include earthquakes, floods, landslides, large deformation induced by
tunneling and deep excavations, and subsidence caused by severe dewatering or with-
drawal of minerals and fluids during mining and oil production. Such loading conditions
are becoming increasingly more important as technologies are developed to cope with
natural hazards, human threats, and construction incongested urban environments.
Extreme loading conditions for soils are often accompanied by extreme loading condi-
tions for structures. Examples include soil/structure interaction associated with pipelines
