ABSTRACT
A generalized model is presented for the evaluation of several damage indicators for systems exposed to the action of groups of multiple simultaneous natural hazards, each group associated with events generated by a given hazard source. All relevant hazard sources that may significantly contribute to risk for the system of interest are taken into account in an all-inclusive life-cycle analysis. For any given hazard source, the estimation of life-cycle risk indicators starts from the estimation of the joint probability density function of variables measuring the intensities of the different natural hazards that may be associated with events generated by that hazard source and, therefore, of the physical damage and/or economic losses that may be produced by their combined action. An approximate criterion is proposed to deal with this problem, in terms of probabilistic distribution functions of the damage indicators resulting from the combined effect of several natural hazards associated with the same event. Some illustrative examples are presented about the implications of the foregoing concepts on optimal life-cycle engineering decisions.
