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Minimal cut-based recursive decomposition algorithm for seismic reliability evaluation of lifeline networks

Li Jie (Àî ½Ü)^1,2, Qian Yaokun (Ǯҡçû)¹ and Liu Wei (Áõ Íþ)¹

1. Building Engineering Department, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
2. State Key Laboratory for Disaster Reduction in Civil Engineering, Shanghai 200092, China

Abstract: In this paper, a new probabilistic analytical approach, the minimal cut-based recursive decomposition algorithm (MCRDA), is presented to evaluate the seismic reliability of large-scale lifeline systems. Based on the minimal cut searching algorithm, the approach calculates the disjoint minimal cuts one by one using the basic procedure of the recursive decomposition method. At the same time, the process obtains the disjoint minimal paths of the system. In order to improve the computation efficiency, probabilistic inequality is used to calculate a solution that satisfies the prescribed error bound. A series of case studies show that MCRDA converges rapidly when the edges of the systems have low reliabilities. Therefore, the approach can be used to evaluate large-scale lifeline systems subjected to strong seismic wave excitation.

Keywords: minimal cut; seismic reliability; recursive decomposition algorithm; large-scale lifeline system