ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT: This paper describes optimal maintenance strategies for existing infrastructures to prevent structural damage due to seismic disaster based on a risk management approach.

Many existing infrastructures which are deteriorated by corrosive and climate conditions are always threatened by various natural hazards including earthquake loads. Actually, those structures constructed prior to 1980 in Japan were designed for a particular seismic load which is smaller than the Level 2 ground motion. After the 1995 Hyogoken-Nanbu earthquake, revised guidelines were specified making old infrastructure design fall below acceptable limits. This means these structures are vulnerable to strong earthquake in the future.