Rapid post-earthquake evaluation method for strategic hydraulic infrastructure in the Ferrara territory

This contribution presents a rapid post-earthquake evaluation procedure designed for strategic hydraulic infrastructure within the province of Ferrara. This procedure is motivated by the well-known seismic and hydraulic risks associated with this area. The 2012 seismic events in Emilia damaged a broad range of structures from cultural heritage buildings to industrial structures, as well as hydraulic facilities have suffered significant damages. In particular, this territory is distinguished by the presence of interconnected small dams, spillways, reservoirs, and channels. Therefore, the potential malfunctioning of this infrastructure poses a direct threat to the hydraulic safety of the entire area, thereby augmenting the overall hydraulic risk. Furthermore, the consequences of the lack of operational safety under flood events can be catastrophic for the surrounding area. This study presents an application of the comprehensive multi-level inspection procedure, encompassing both structural and non-structural components, with the goal of detecting any instances of damage, anomalies, or malfunctions after an earthquake. Each inspection should consider the non-structural components which are particularly important for the overall functionality of the structure. These components include oleodynamic actuators and circuits, electrical systems, as well as local and global control devices. The method developed for activating the levels of control is based on the peak ground acceleration detected at the site, which is correlated with the vulnerability of the structures. This procedure has the potential to be a valuable tool in assisting decision makers of the civil protection when establishing priorities for interventions after a seismic event.