Probability of actuating a seismic shutoff device

Automatic seismic shutoff devices are used to reduce the risk to gas and liquid distribution systems from earthquakes. In the USA, the gas shutoff devices are tested and certified according to the American Society of Civil Engineers' Standard ASCE 25. During tests, devices are shaken by simple harmonic (sinusoidal) motions of different frequencies and checked for actuation. Because earthquake motions are not sinusoidal, the amplitude of earthquake motions that will actuate these devices is not clearly understood. This paper determines the probability of actuating devices by earthquake motions of different amplitudes. The probability of actuation increases with increase in the resultant peak horizontal ground acceleration (PGA). The probability of actuation is 50% for PGA = 0.23g and 90% for PGA = 0.31g, where g = 9.81 m/s² = acceleration due to gravity. On a ‘stiff soil’ site in San Francisco, CA, the mean recurrence interval of actuation is 51 years. On a similar site in Boston, MA, the mean recurrence interval of actuation is 3000 years. ASCE 25 compliant devices are actuated by high frequencies in ground motions. There is greater uncertainty in the actuation of these devices by ground motions that are damaging to very flexible systems. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.