A theoretical framework for integrating ground failure models into regional seismic performance assessments of buried pipelines

A variety of models exist for characterizing earthquake-induced ground failures, but application of these models towards regional seismic performance assessments of buried pipelines remains challenging. One challenge is that ground failures often occur at localized geospatial scales while buried pipelines are spatially distributed over long distances. In this study, we propose a theoretical framework to integrate ground failure models into such assessments. We demonstrate a proof of concept via a numerical example with an illustrative gas transmission network in southern California subjected to ground shaking from the 1994 M6.7 Northridge earthquake.