Work

Qualitative Modelling of Failure Scenarios for Long Linear Transport Infrastructures in Mountain Areas

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: In mountain areas, long linear transport infrastructures (roads, motorways, railways, etc.) are exposed to numerous natural hazards, especially hydrological and gravity-driven events such as slope instabilities, rockfalls, or torrential hazards. These phenomena can damage infrastructure, or even lead to the destruction of large sections, causing a risk for users and a deterioration of service. Infrastructure managers face several difficulties in handling these risks. One of them is identifying and representing them, due to the scale of the infrastructure, which is composed of numerous structures and exposed to multiple hazards. In this context, a model is proposed to represent all potential failure scenarios for such infrastructures. This model is based on system reliability analysis methods: functional analysis, failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA), and fault tree analysis (FTA). It is intended to be applied to a linear infrastructure, several kilometres long, exposed to various hazards. The proposed approach allows for the identification of all possible failure modes, including damage to structures and its functional consequences. Its applicability is being tested on a simple case study.

Source: Infrastructures

DOI: 10.3390/infrastructures11020071

Authors: Théotime Michez, Laurent Peyras, Stéphane Lambert, Sébastien Reynaud, Patrick Garcin