Failure Mechanism and Fragility Analysis of RC Box Culvert Subjected to Fault Rupture Displacement

Abstract

Underground structures may suffer significant damage subjected to the fault rupture. This research clarified the failure mechanisms of RC box culvert subjected to fault displacement based on 2D FE analysis and fragility analysis was performed in terms of variation on concrete and soil strength, as well as soil stiffness. Based on the analytical results, it is found that the failure probability of the RC box culvert is significantly affected by the soil stiffness variation, rather than the strength variation of materials under the low-angle fault. On the other hand, the failure probability of the RC box culvert is affected by not only the soil stiffness variation but also the material strength variation under the high-angle fault.