Editorial: Disaster risk and resilience assessment of multi-utility transportation infrastructure and urban projects

Abdullah Ansari^1,2*Pranjal Mandhaniya^3,4Bilal Ahmad Malik⁵Zhongkun Ouyang⁶

• ¹Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
• ²Earthquake Monitoring Center, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
• ³Norwegian University of Science and Technology Trondheim, Trondheim, Norway
• ⁴Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
• ⁵Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, China
• ⁶Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, China, Shenzhen, China

Sustainable and innovative infrastructure drives economic growth and resilience, particularly within expanding urban transportation networks. This Research Topic explores the seismic risks to tunnels and railway tracks, addressing challenges such as slope failures and network disruptions caused by earthquakes and landslides. By presenting new approaches, methodologies, and case studies, it aims to enhance the resilience and sustainability of multi-utility transportation infrastructures in seismically active regions. This is divided into the following two major sections.The first section highlights research aimed at improving the seismic safety and structural resilience of tunnels and rail systems under complex geological conditions. The study "Unveiling the seismic sensitivity of the Himalayan tunnels: a comprehensive assessment through analytical and numerical exploration of p-wave dynamics" conducted by Abdullah Ansari, Pranjal Mandhaniya, and Bilal Ahmad Malik, provided an analytical and numerical evaluation of P-wave dynamics, focusing on seismic hazard zones with PGAs ranging from less than 0.3 g to over 0.5 g, Ansari et al. This research offered design and retrofitting guidelines for tunnels in mountainous terrains, addressing landslide-prone areas. Complementing this, the numerical investigation "Crack influence and fatigue life assessment in rail profiles: a numerical study" performed by Patrick Urassa, Haileleoul Sahle Habte, and Awel Mohammedseid, revealed that crack orientation significantly impacts contact stresses, fatigue life, and damage evolution, with oblique cracks presenting the highest severity, Urassa et al. These findings underscore the need for innovative strategies to enhance the reliability and safety of underground and rail systems in seismically active and geotechnically complex areas.The second section emphasizes advancements in rail infrastructure monitoring and foundation reinforcement for high-speed railway systems. Zhicheng Hu, Albert Lau, Jian Dai, and Gunnstein In wrapping up this Research Topic, it becomes apparent that the featured studies make significant contributions to advancing seismic resilience and sustainable transportation infrastructure. The exploration of P-wave dynamics in Himalayan tunnels offers critical insights into mitigating seismic risks in complex geological settings. Research on rail profile fatigue and optimal accelerometer placement enhances monitoring precision and rail system reliability. Additionally, innovations in geosynthetic reinforcement demonstrate improved foundation designs for highspeed railways. Together, these studies provide valuable solutions for safer, more efficient, and resilient transportation systems, aligning with sustainable development goals and fostering global infrastructure reliability.