The Application of Fuzzy Modeling to Hazard Assessment for Reinforced Concrete Building Structures Due to Pipeline Failure

In this article, the application of fuzzy modeling to hazard assessment for reinforced concrete building structures due to pipeline failure was implemented. Damage assessment due to sewer pipeline failure is a very important issue in urban regions in Egypt. By combining ground deformation patterns, well-known damage category criteria, the potential damage of adjacent buildings can be assessed due to different parameters of pipeline deterioration. In this study, the well-known computer program ANSYS with geotechnical module "CivilFEM" is used considering nonlinear elastic soil behavior. The finite element model is chosen to investigate the influence of four different parameters of pipeline deterioration at the same time such as pipeline settlement, settlement location, building location with respect to pipeline and burial depth on the building damage category. The results were implemented in a fuzzy based assessment system for reinforced concrete building structures to evaluate the damage category of building. A criterion to define membership functions for each parameter, as input to the fuzzy engine, as well as the rule base was described. The fuzzy output as damage category was briefly validated by using numerous examples for different values that was chosen randomly to cover the whole range of 4 parameters to get the results first in fuzzy system, then running the same values using ANSYS and results were consistent in the two methods. Fuzzy logic support system showed to be a powerful tool in forecasting potential damage in buildings due to the association of different parameters in pipeline deterioration. [Dina. A. Emarah, Manar. M. Hussein, Hamdi. M. Mousa and Adel. Y. Akl The Application of Fuzzy Modeling to Hazard Assessment for Reinforced Concrete Building Structures Due to Pipeline Failure] Life Science Journal, 2011; 8(4): 595-608] (ISSN: 1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com.