International Journal of Original Recent Advanced Research

ISSN (Online): 3048-5479

Vol. 01, Issue 01, July 2024

ENHANCING SUSTAINABLE INFRASTRUCTURE

THROUGH STRUCTURAL RESILIENCE IN CIVIL
ENGINEERING
Somnath Mondal1, Ms.Yamini Rai2, Dr. Ajay Swarup3, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Kushwaha4
M Tech Scholar, Department of Civil Engineering, SOE, SSSUTMS1
Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, SOE, SSSUTMS2
HOD, Department of Civil Engineering, SOE, SSSUTMS3
Dean, School of Engineering SSSUTMS4
ABSTRACT
Sustainable infrastructure development has become a paramount concern in the field of civil engineering. With the
increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters and the growing awareness of climate change impacts, the
need for infrastructure that can withstand and recover from adverse events has never been more critical. This paper
explores the concept of structural resilience as a key component of sustainable infrastructure and its implications
for civil engineering practice. Structural resilience refers to the ability of a structure to absorb and adapt to
disturbances, while maintaining its essential functions, integrity, and performance. It involves the integration of
robust design principles, advanced materials, and innovative construction techniques to enhance the durability,
reliability, and safety of infrastructure systems. By incorporating resilience into the design and planning of
infrastructure projects, civil engineers can help mitigate the risks posed by natural hazards and climate change, and
ensure the long-term sustainability of infrastructure investments.
Keywords: Sustainable infrastructure1, Structural resilience2, Civil engineering3, Natural hazards4, Climate
change5.
1. Introduction

The field of civil engineering plays a critical role in shaping the built environment to meet the needs of society, both
now and in the future. As the world faces unprecedented challenges from natural hazards and climate change, the
concept of sustainable infrastructure has emerged as a key focus area for civil engineers. Sustainable infrastructure is
characterized by its ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to
meet their own needs. Central to this concept is the idea of resilience, particularly structural resilience, which refers
to the ability of infrastructure systems to withstand and recover from disruptive events while maintaining essential
functions. The importance of structural resilience in civil engineering cannot be overstated. Natural hazards such as
earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, and tsunamis can cause extensive damage to infrastructure, leading to loss of life,
economic disruption, and social upheaval. Climate change is exacerbating these risks, with rising sea levels, more
frequent and intense storms, and changing weather patterns posing new challenges to infrastructure resilience. In this
context, enhancing the resilience of infrastructure is essential to ensure the safety, sustainability, and functionality of

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built environments. Structural resilience encompasses a range of strategies and approaches aimed at enhancing the
ability of infrastructure systems to withstand and recover from disruptive events. This includes the use of innovative
materials and construction techniques, as well as the integration of advanced monitoring and sensing technologies to
detect and respond to potential threats. By incorporating resilience into the design and planning of infrastructure
projects, civil engineers can help reduce the risks posed by natural hazards and climate change, and ensure the long-
term sustainability of infrastructure investments.

In recent years, there has been growing recognition of the importance of structural resilience in civil engineering
practice. Research and development efforts have focused on developing new materials, design methodologies, and
construction techniques to enhance the resilience of infrastructure systems. Case studies and examples from around
the world demonstrate the effectiveness of these approaches in improving the performance of infrastructure during
and after disruptive events.

2. Climate Change and the infrastructure

Climate change presents one of the most pressing global challenges of the 21st century, significantly impacting the
built environment. The resultant 'extreme weather events,' such as high temperatures, storms, floods, and droughts,
are projected to increase in severity across many areas in England over the next 30 years. These events disrupt
essential services like transportation, communication, energy, and water supplies, leading to adverse effects on
health, well-being, social and economic activities, and employment. Safeguarding infrastructure against extreme
weather involves enhancing physical resilience, ensuring quick restoration of processes and procedures, and
maintaining clear communication with stakeholders to minimize impact. Transport services, including public
transport (tube, rail, bus, and river services) and road functions, are particularly vulnerable. In London, Transport for
London forecasts higher summer temperatures, warmer winters, changes in rainfall patterns, and rising sea levels by
2050. Flooding poses the most significant risk to UK infrastructure, with the number of exposed assets expected to
double by the 2080s. River, coastal, surface water, and groundwater flooding, along with storm surges, threaten
infrastructure integrity. This paper focuses on how extreme weather phenomena impact land transport systems,
specifically roads and rail networks, and related assets. It reviews government reports, case studies, and action plans
to understand the context and debate. The methodology involves gathering secondary and primary data from
regional case studies, synthesizing findings to identify areas needing strengthening, and exploring how stakeholders'
mitigation strategies can enhance sector-wide resilience. The goal is to improve collaborative efforts among
infrastructure providers, enhancing economic and community resilience for a sustainable future.

3. Improving Infrastructure resilience

The literature extensively covers research on the impact of various natural hazards, such as snow, ice, rain, fog,
wind, and heat, on transport disruption, considering events of different scales and magnitudes across multiple
countries. In the UK, increased flooding frequency poses the most significant climate change risk to infrastructure,
including transport, energy, communications, and services, leading to costly repairs averaging £1 billion per year. A

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substantial portion of railway tracks, railway stations, A-roads, and motorways are in flood-prone areas, with
projections indicating a significant increase in vulnerability due to future climate change. Intense rainfall has been
linked to reduced driver visibility and speeds, as well as increased sewer flooding events. Rising sea levels will
further expose coastal assets to flooding, requiring costly realignment of coastal defenses. The UK government has
established a statutory framework for assessing and managing climate change risks, requiring regular reports to
Parliament. Priority areas for action and research include addressing residual flood risks, improving urban water
management, protecting vulnerable communities and infrastructure, and managing agricultural production in flood-
prone areas. Building resilience to flooding requires both formal and informal structures and processes, with clear
linkages and accountability among stakeholders. It is a collective effort involving government, local authorities,
health, police, and infrastructure providers, supported by government funding. Infrastructure assets must be designed
or retrofitted to withstand extreme weather conditions, necessitating a review of design standards and thresholds to
accommodate new weather scenarios and forces.

Rail networks:

In the context of rail networks, the risks associated with weather-related hazards have not undergone significant
changes since the 2011 risk assessments. However, there has been an increase in the level of detailed internal
analysis, along with changes in investments and considerations for long-term resilience. Table 1 provides an
overview of weather-related hazards, the associated risks to related assets, and the potential consequences.

Table 1- Key climate change risks to rail infrastructure (Network Rail, 2015)

Weather- Asset associated Consequence

related hazard with risk
Temperature Track Buckles and breaks and derailment risk,
(high, low and Reduced opportunities for track maintenance
rate of change) Switches and Frozen or snow blocked points, Failure of point
crossings operating equipment
High Overhead line Sag of overhead line and risk of de-wirement
temperatures equipment
Line side Failure of temperature controls and overheating
equipment of electronic equipment
Low Third rail and Loss of power to rolling stock due to ice and
temperatures overhead line, snow build up and contact failure
equipment
Overhead line Icicle build up causes damage to pantograph
equipment
Buildings (depots, Slips, trips and falls risk to staff and station
stations and users
offices)
Level crossings Ice on roads and vehicle incursion onto track
system

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Increase in All Closure of line due to track flooding, Failure of

flooding line side equipment due to inundation of water,
Access issues to depots, stations and offices,
Scour of embankment material
Change in river Bridges Risk of asset failure from: Scour of river bed
flows material at bridge, foundations due to hydraulic
action, Accumulation of debris under structure
Increased Earthworks Landslip and earthwork failure and risk to rolling
rainfall stock and staff
Decreased Earthworks Desiccation of embankments resulting in track
rainfall geometry faults and failures in supported line
side equipment
High winds Overhead line Risk to rolling stock, staff and asset failure from
equipment and falling trees and debris (plastic bags, sheds and
track trampolines)
Sea level rise Coastal assets Closure of track due to flooding, Structure or
and storm earthwork failure and risk to rolling stock and
surge staff, Increased overtopping and sea water
ingress into rolling stock and line side
equipment
Extreme Staff Poor working conditions for staff in extreme
weather weather conditions
Seasonal Vegetation Changes in growth rates and impacts on
changes maintenance budgets and leaf fall management,
Changes in invasive species and impacts on
maintenance budgets and risk based
assessment
Lightning Line side Asset failure as a result of lightning strikes and
equipment electrical surges
The consequences of extreme weather events on rail infrastructure highlight the critical need for regular testing,
monitoring, review, and updating to prevent infrastructure and assets from failing. While the primary responsibility
lies with rail authorities, it also emphasizes the importance of collaborative thinking and working among various
stakeholders, as disruptions to one service can have cascading effects and strain other services. Regular and
proactive maintenance, coupled with innovative asset management techniques that can identify potential failures
well in advance, are crucial for risk identification and mitigation. Enhanced asset data, shared among different
infrastructure service providers using various systems and supported by robust data maintenance and assurance
procedures, can improve understanding of each asset type's vulnerability to climate impacts. Advanced methods and
tools are essential for capturing, maintaining, and accessing high-quality asset data. The ability to integrate and
analyze asset data in collaborative environments, as well as share decision support tools, will be instrumental in
enhancing future resilience of rail infrastructure.

Road networks:

Flooding, snow, and ice are major disruptors of road networks, with localized flooding often causing lane closures
and high winds posing risks to vehicles like caravans and trailers. Hot weather can damage road surfaces, especially

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older ones, accelerating their deterioration. Managing user behavior is key to minimizing accidents and traffic
disruptions during extreme weather events.

4. Embedding infrastructure resilience in sustainable development

The UK Climate Change Risk Assessment 2017 highlights "Flooding and coastal change risks to communities,
businesses, and infrastructure" as an urgent, high-risk priority area requiring immediate action. It also emphasizes
the need for further research in this area. Climate change risk assessment involves identifying and assessing the
main threats and opportunities arising from climate change over a specific period, evaluating the risks to determine
adaptation priorities. Adaptation refers to the adjustment or preparation of natural or human systems to a new or
changing environment to mitigate harm or take advantage of beneficial opportunities. Climate resilience, on the
other hand, is the ability to anticipate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from significant climate threats.
Adaptation measures can enhance physical and economic resilience, minimizing the impacts of climate threats on
businesses, workers, supply chains, and the environment.

Table 2- Selected case study review- London, UK extreme Weather Incidents since 2011-
2014 (TFL, 2015)

Year Event Actions/ Lessons Learnt

2012 Lightning Strike at DLR Changed design standards to ensure that
Cross harbour equipment earthing and bonding is more rigorous and
room introduced measures to break the charge.
2013 Fore Street tunnel drain Needed help from the police to unblock the
gullies temporarily gullies, as contractors couldn’t access the site
blocked with ice by a hail through the traffic jam.
storm
February Storms and subsequent Pumping processes in place. Local authority and
2014 groundwater flooding emergency services assisted communities in
Croydon to be evacuated due to groundwater
flooding.
July 2014 Excessive Heat Control with passive and mechanical air
conditioning
August 2014 Localised rainfall in major Major review of locations where topology and
roads drainage could make them susceptible to a
similar impact
2014 Cloudburst flooding Addressed through improved preventative
affecting Island Gardens maintenance (improved proactive gully sucking)
DLR station

The information gleaned from case studies highlights the pressing need to review and update outdated design codes
and standards to ensure infrastructure can withstand extreme climate forces. Achieving viable resilience targets
requires consistent allocation of financial resources and continuous development. Given the interconnected nature of
infrastructure systems, a failure in one can strain others. For instance, if rail networks underperform, road networks

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may struggle to accommodate extra passengers opting for alternative transport. The main barriers to climate change
adaptation in infrastructure, as identified by rail and road networks, include funding challenges, uncertainties
regarding long-term climate impacts, limited system redundancy, conflicting priorities, the reactive nature of media
to extreme events, regulations, legislation, and lack of information on certain impacts. Addressing these barriers
involves securing additional funding for resilience measures, implementing green infrastructure and sustainable
drainage systems at various levels, and conducting further research to reduce uncertainties. Embedding resilience
measures in organizational policy and ensuring regular reviews are also crucial, supported by a legislative
framework that allows new information to be integrated into new developments. Improved collaboration with other
infrastructure owners, providers, and key stakeholders is essential for building robust, resilient infrastructure and
asset bases. For instance, Transport for London has initiated projects to install, operate, and maintain vegetated
tracksides, road verges, green walls, roofs, and sustainable drainage systems. In London, efforts to reduce and
manage current and future flood risks include improving understanding of flood risk, supporting collaborative
working, reducing risk to critical assets and vulnerable communities, and raising public awareness to improve
resilience to flood events.

5. Result & Discussion

Climate change presents a critical challenge for the 21st century, profoundly affecting the built environment.
Extreme weather events, such as high temperatures, storms, floods, and droughts, are anticipated to worsen across
England over the next 30 years. These events disrupt essential services like transportation, communication, energy,
and water supplies, leading to adverse effects on health, well-being, and economic activities. Safeguarding
infrastructure against extreme weather involves enhancing physical resilience, ensuring quick restoration of
processes, and maintaining clear communication with stakeholders to minimize impact. Transport services,
including public transport and roads, are particularly vulnerable. For example, Transport for London predicts higher
summer temperatures, warmer winters, changes in rainfall patterns, and rising sea levels by 2050. Flooding is
identified as the most significant risk to UK infrastructure, with the number of exposed assets expected to double by
the 2080s. This paper focuses on how extreme weather impacts land transport systems, specifically roads and rail
networks, and related assets. It reviews government reports, case studies, and action plans to understand the context
and debate, using data from regional case studies to identify areas needing strengthening. The goal is to improve
collaborative efforts among infrastructure providers, enhancing economic and community resilience for a
sustainable future.

6. Conclusion

The impacts of flooding and coastal change in the UK are already substantial and are expected to worsen due to
climate change. While some communities can improve their protection against these threats, others will face
significantly higher risks. This will have implications for property values, insurance costs, business revenues, and, in
extreme cases, the very survival of communities. The resilience of local infrastructure, especially transportation,
energy, and communications systems, is closely tied to the risks faced by communities and local economies. Despite

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ongoing efforts to improve resilience to extreme weather, there is still much to be done. A holistic approach,
involving integrated policies, strategies, and resource sharing, as well as investments in stable and robust
infrastructure through new design standards and codes, is seen as crucial. More action is needed to support
communities facing growing risks, particularly in areas where traditional flood defenses may not be feasible and
long-term viability is in question. Research gaps exist in areas such as the economics of climate change adaptation,
metrics for measuring resilience, system modeling and simulations, spatial decision tools, and funding mechanisms
to advance these efforts.

A major challenge is maintaining a comprehensive approach that considers the needs of the transportation industry
and integrates the various requirements of different systems to enable coordinated actions. Identifying
interdependencies will help the industry adapt more efficiently to climate change and prioritize resources. A widely
accepted resilience rating system, applicable to individual, public, and business assets, could facilitate more
informed decision-making regarding resilience, setting requirements for new building developments, and designing
new facilities. Urban drainage and green infrastructure systems must be incorporated into development standards
and regulations to ensure resilient urban development.

7. References

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2. Tierney, K. J. (2003). “Conceptualizing and measuring organizational and community resilience: Lessons
from the emergency response following the September 11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center.”
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3. Trenberth, K. E. (2011). “Changes in precipitation with climate change.” Clim. Res., 47(1–2), 123–138.
4. USEPA (U.S. EPA). (2011). “Smart growth.” 〈http://www.epa.gov/ smartgrowth/〉 (Mar. 12, 2015).
5. USGBC (U.S. Green Building Council). (2014). “LEED green building rating systems.”
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indicators to assess the sustainability of the urban water cycle.” Water Resour. Manage., 26(8), 2177–2197.
7. Wang, R., Eckelman, M. J., and Zimmerman, J. B. (2013). “Consequential environmental and economic
life cycle assessment of green and gray stormwater infrastructures for combined sewer systems.” Environ.
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8. Wilkins, M. (2013). “Case study: Award winning LID design.”
9. Xu, M., et al. (2010). “Gigaton problems need gigaton solutions.” Environ. Sci. Technol., 44(11), 4037–
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10. Yang, C., Raskin, R., Goodchild, M., and Gahegan, M. (2010). “Geospatial cyberinfrastructure: Past,
present and future.” Comput. Environ. Urban Syst., 34(4), 264–277.

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11. Young, K. D., Younos, T., Dymond, R. L., Kibler, D. F., and Lee, D. H. (2010). “Application of the
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