An Analysis Method on Post-earthquake Traversability of Road Network Considering Building Collapse

This study aims at quantifying the influence on the traversability of road network of road network caused by building collapse in earthquake. To this end, an analysis method on post-earthquake traversability of road network considering building collapse is proposed. First, the time-history analysis of seismic response based on the multi-degree of freedom (MDOF) model is performed for regional building groups, so that collapsed buildings could be determined. Subsequently, the impact ranges of collapsed buildings are calculated based on a probabilistic model of debris distributions. Finally, the analysis algorithm of the traversability of road network is designed based on the impact ranges, and therefore the solution to determining optimal rescue paths is also designed by using a geographic information system (GIS) platform. Taking a university campus as case study, the influences on the traversability of road network due to building collapse is analyzed in a virtual earthquake scenario. The results of case study indicate that building collapse alters the optimal rescue path, which has a significant influence on the post-earthquake emergency responses. This study can assess the influence on the post-earthquake traversability of road network due to building collapse, and help cities reasonably respond to the post-earthquake traffic.