Engineering geology model for seismic vulnerability assessment of critical infrastructures

The development of reliable subsoil models is one of the key points for the assessment of the seismic performance of existing strategic infrastructures, especially in many European countries where the seismic hazard varies from moderate to high. The strategic infrastructures are structures and components which have a crucial role in the social and economic development of a modern country, and include lifelines and industrial plants. Lifelines frequently have a linear development and can be affected by very heterogeneous and complex geological setting. Industrial plants, on the other hand, frequently treat toxic and flammable materials. This paper deals with the definition of an effective geological and geotechnical three-dimensional model of the Biferno River coastal plain in the Molise region (Italy) as a key for a quantitative assessment of real performances of strategic infrastructures. Some remarks on the site seismic vulnerability and on the regional and local geological, geomorphological and hydrogeological conditions are given. The key objective of the seismic vulnerability assessment is discussed in relation to the spatial variability of the geological and geotechnical characteristics.