System and method for accessing potential damage to infrastructure items after natural events

• US 8,312,040 B2
• Filed: 11/27/2009
• Issued: 11/13/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alyeska Pipeline Service Company
• Original Assignee: Alyeska Pipeline Service Company
• Inventors: Nyman, Douglas J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lu, Kuen
• Application Number:
  US12/626,855
• Publication Number:
  US 20110131230A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,082 Days
• Field of Search: 707/769
• US Class Current: 707/769
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling

Abstract

Systems and methods for responding to a risk of damage caused by a natural event are presented. A method presented includes checking a sensor system database on a regular period for an occurrence of a natural event. If the natural event has occurred, a determination can be made as to whether the natural event is of sufficient strength and proximity to an infrastructure item to create a potential hazard to the infrastructure item. If so, a map of the severity of the natural event can be obtained from the sensor system database and compared to a database of infrastructure items. The database includes a fragility index associated with each infrastructure item. A customized checklist can then be generated for inspection of the infrastructure item.

Claims

1. A system for automated rapid assessment and response to potential damage caused by natural events, comprising:

a storage system, wherein the storage system comprises a database comprising a plurality of records, wherein each of the plurality of records comprises an infrastructure item, a fragility index for the infrastructure item, and an inspection to be performed to determine if damage is present, wherein the infrastructure item comprises a pipeline system, a transportation system, an electrical distribution system, a water distribution system, an industrial facility, a refinery, a chemical plant, an offshore platform, a pipeline segment, a pump station, a communications tower, a bridge, a substation, a tank, a flare, an item that is a part of these systems, or any combinations thereof;

a network interface configured to access a sensor system database and to communicate with one or more client systems;

a tangible, computer readable medium comprising code configured to direct a processor to;

access the sensor system database on a recurring basis;

determine if a natural event has occurred with a potential for causing damage, wherein the natural event comprises an earthquake, liquefaction of soil, a landslide, a tsunami, an avalanche, a hurricane, a tornado, an ice-storm, a snow storm, or any combinations thereof; and

, if so;

obtain a map of severity of the natural event;

correlate the map of severity with the database;

generate a customized list of inspections to be performed; and

provide the list to the one or more client systems.

2. The system of claim 1, comprising an interface to a telephone network system.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the code is configured to direct the processor to send a telephone message upon the occurrence of the natural event.

4. The system of claim 1, comprising an interface to a satellite uplink.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the code is configured to direct the processor to send a satellite message upon the occurrence of the natural event.

6. A method for assessing potential damage to infrastructure items after an occurrence of a natural event, comprising an automated system for:

checking a sensor system database on a regular period for an occurrence of a natural event;

and, if the natural event has occurred,

determining if the natural event is of sufficient strength and proximity to an infrastructure item to create a potential hazard to the infrastructure item, wherein the natural event comprises an earthquake, liquefaction of soil, a landslide, a tsunami, an avalanche, a hurricane, a tornado, an ice-storm, a snow storm, or any combinations thereof; and

, if so;

obtaining mapped data of the severity of the natural event from the sensor system database;

comparing the mapped data of the severity to a database of infrastructure items comprising a fragility index associated with each infrastructure item, wherein the infrastructure item comprises a pipeline system, a transportation system, an electrical distribution system, a water distribution system, an industrial facility, a refinery, a chemical plant, an offshore platform, a pipeline segment, a pump station, a communications tower, a bridge, a substation, a tank, a flare, an item that is a part of these systems, or any combinations thereof; and

generating a checklist for inspection of the infrastructure item.

7. The method of claim 6, comprising providing a notification to personnel that the checklist is available.

8. The method of claim 7, comprising sending an electronic mail message, a text message, a computer generated voice message, a page, a satellite message or any combinations thereof.

9. The method of claim 6, comprising:

generating a new checklist for inspection of the infrastructure item at a different damage level.

10. The method of claim 6, comprising:

generating a new checklist for inspection of the infrastructure item for a different engineering specialty.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the engineering specialty comprises a pipeline engineer, a structural engineer, a communications engineer, a geotechnical engineer, an environmental specialist, or any combinations thereof.

12. The method of claim 6, wherein the mapped data of the severity comprises a measurement of ground motion.

13. The method of claim 6, wherein the mapped data of the severity comprises wind speeds, wave heights, ice thickness, snow depth, or any combinations thereof.

14. The method of claim 6, wherein the checklist comprises a location for the infrastructure item.

15. The method of claim 6, wherein the checklist comprises a listing of features of the infrastructure item to be inspected.

16. A tangible, computer readable medium comprising code configured to direct a processor to:

access a sensor system database to identify the occurrence of a natural event, wherein the natural event comprises an earthquake, liquefaction of soil, a landslide, a tsunami, an avalanche, a hurricane, a tornado, an ice-storm, a snow storm, or any combinations thereof;

obtain a map of severity of the natural event at an infrastructure item, wherein the infrastructure item comprises a pipeline system, a transportation system, an electrical distribution system, a water distribution system, an industrial facility, a refinery, a chemical plant, an offshore platform, a pipeline segment, a pump station, a communications tower, a bridge, a substation, a tank, a flare, an item that is a part of these systems, or any combinations thereof;

correlate the map of severity with a database of infrastructure items to obtain a listing of one or more infrastructure items that may be at risk of damage at a first damage level; and

generate a customized inspection plan to inspect the one or more infrastructure items for damage.

17. The tangible, computer readable medium of claim 16, comprising code configured to direct the processor to:

generate a new inspection plan at a second damage level.