Engineering for Extremes: Decision-Making in an Uncertain World

The book "Engineering for Extremes: Risk and Decision-Making Analytics for Protecting Infrastructure and Society from Extreme Events" discusses the application of risk and decision-making analytics to address the wicked problem of protecting infrastructure and society from extreme events. It introduces key concepts such as hazard modeling, infrastructure vulnerability, resilience, social and economic loss models, risk reduction from protective measures, and decision theory. Case studies authored by experts provide practical insights into risk assessment and cost-efficient measures to reduce infrastructure vulnerability to extreme events in both developed and developing countries.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 451 pages
Publication date: 26 March 2023
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

The book delves into the realm of risk and decision-making analytics, offering valuable insights into addressing the formidable challenge of safeguarding infrastructure and society against extreme events. A growing body of research is dedicated to examining the risks associated with the timing and severity of such events in the field of engineering, with the aim of reducing infrastructure vulnerability or enhancing its resilience. This emerging field of engineering is referred to as "engineering for extremes," encompassing a range of measures designed to mitigate the impact of climate change, hurricanes, storms, floods, earthquakes, heat waves, fires, and malevolent and abnormal events, including acts of terrorism, gas explosions, vehicle impact, and vehicle overload.

To effectively address these risks, the book introduces the fundamental concepts required for assessing the economic and social well-being risks, costs, and benefits associated with infrastructure in the face of extreme events. This encompasses hazard modeling, which involves estimating the likelihood and severity of events, infrastructure vulnerability, resilience, or exposure, which assesses the likelihood and extent of damage, social and economic loss models, which quantify the societal and economic consequences of extreme events, risk reduction from protective measures, and decision theory, which employs cost-benefit and utility analyses to make informed decisions regarding infrastructure vulnerability reduction.

Through a series of case studies authored by experts from diverse regions, the book provides practical insights into the realm of risk assessment when determining the most cost-efficient measures to enhance infrastructure resilience against extreme events. These case studies encompass a wide range of infrastructure types, including housing, buildings, bridges, roads, tunnels, pipelines, and electricity infrastructure, spanning both developed and developing countries. By examining real-world examples and methodologies, the book equips readers with the tools and knowledge necessary to make informed decisions and implement effective strategies for protecting infrastructure and society from the devastating impacts of extreme events.

Weight: 712g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030850203
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022