This book discusses the application of seismic design methods for lifeline earthquake engineering to buried pipelines so that readers can analyse their behaviour and structural and functional characteristics, verify the results, and apply appropriate methods to design earthquake-resistant lifelines.

The authors focus on four key areas to provide readers with this understanding. First, they comprehensively explain seismic design methods for lifelines by systematically discussing the seismic design methods of expansion and contraction flexible joints. Second, they describe in detail the theoretical background of design formulas for seismic design of pipelines (the “slip concept") and verify the applicability of the design formulas to the elasto-plastic state assumed by the current design method by comparing them with FEM analysis results. Third, they explain how to verify the validity of FEM numerical analysis in line with the theoretical background of the design formulas. Last, they discuss the applicability of analytical models and theoretical formulas and the accuracy of analysis for evaluating load characteristic values and the ensuring prediction accuracy of resistance strength evaluation formulas. This approach enables readers to deal with the nonlinear behaviour of buried pipelines by deriving the formulas for straight and deformed pipe strains. They will then be able to verify the validity of FEM numerical analysis results and ensure the prediction accuracy of their resistance strength evaluations. Overall, the readers’ developed spatial, comprehensive, and chronological understanding of earthquake damage to urban lifelines will allow them to contribute to stronger disaster mitigation and faster disaster response in the event of damage to lifelines.

This book is a vital resource for practitioners and students to deepen their understanding of seismic design methods for lifelines. Researchers will also be able to use these findings as a reference for future technological development.