MS10 Reliability and Resilience of Critical Infrastructure Systems and Networks

Prof. Michael Beer: beer@irz.uni-hannover.de

Session Chairs:
Michael Beer, Prof. Dr.-Ing., Leibniz Universität Hannover, Institute for Risk and Reliability, beer@irz.uni-hannover.de
Edoardo Patelli, Prof. Dr., University of Strathclyde Glasgow, edoardo.patelli@strath.ac.uk
Konstantin Zuev, Dr. Dr., California Institute of Technology, Department of Computing and Mathematical Sciences, kostia@caltech.edu
Matteo Broggi, Dr. techn., Leibniz Universität Hannover, Institute for Risk and Reliability, broggi@irz.uni-hannover.de
Cao Wang, Dr., Monash University, cao.wang@monash.edu
Xiaobo Qu, Prof. Dr., Chalmers University of Technology, Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, xiaobo@chalmers.se

Abstract of the special session：
Complex infrastructure systems are a pervasive feature of modern society. They provide critical services for everyday life, such as water, food, energy, transport, communication, banking, and finance. Reliability and resilience of our infrastructure are thus of utmost importance. However, most of our critical infrastructures are interconnected, interact with one another and depend on social networks, as well. In this respect, cascading failures, where external perturbations trigger some initial local failures that lead to eventual global system failure, are especially hazardous. A deep understanding of complex failure mechanisms and of the capabilities to withstand natural hazards and man-made threats is crucial. In particular, the degree to which an infrastructure system subjected to internal or external stresses is capable of keeping or recovering the service demanded needs to be quantitatively estimated. Quantitative assessment of system and network reliability and associated risks and uncertainties is therefore a key aspect of system design, optimization, and operation.
The main objective of this Mini-Symposium is to bring together experts working in the interdisciplinary area of infrastructure systems to discuss the latest developments in the field. Some relevant topics include reliability, risk, vulnerability and resilience analyses of critical infrastructures, multi-sector interdependencies of infrastructure networks, common cause failure, and cascading failures.