Assessing Issues on the Seismic Response of Underground Metro Station Buildings for the Vision of Seismic-Resilient Cities: A Case Study

In this study, the earthquake-induced demands on critical structural elements of a typical underground metro station are assessed from several perspectives, including (1) the near-fault seismic ground motion scenario; (2) the intensity level of the earthquake event; and (3) the effects of soil site classifications at the subway station. For this purpose, a two-dimensional finite-element soil–structure model of a two-story underground reinforced concrete box structure is analyzed using the time-history dynamic method under 28 seismic ground motion records. The application of the obtained results within a region-specific seismic risk management program is then examined through a case study of a subway network in a densely built, near-fault megacity. This assessment highlights the importance of linking factors that influence the seismic response of underground metro station structures to relevant subprograms within a seismic resilience master plan, using an engineering-based approach. In particular, the amplification effects of forward-directivity near-fault scenarios on the studied structure underscore the need for special design considerations for critical structural and nonstructural elements, so that such stations can maintain multipurpose functionality in both crisis management and routine operations under multiple seismic hazard scenarios.