6. Introduction to the Applications of the SYNER-G Methodology and Tools

The objective of this Chapter is to introduce the application case studies that are presented in the following Chapters. At first, the general framework of the SYNER-G methodology is outlined, including the seismic hazard, the physical vulnerability and the systemic (functional and socio-economic) models, in order to summarize the basic concepts and methods that are applied and facilitate the understanding of the following applications. The SYNER-G approach is presented in detail in Part I of this book (Chaps. 2, 3, 4, and 5). The case studies aim to demonstrate and test the applicability of the developed methodology and tools in different systems and levels of analysis, accounting for inter and intra-dependencies among infrastructural components and systems: at urban level, in the city of Thessaloniki in Greece and a district in the city of Vienna in Austria; at system level, in the gas system of L’Aquila in Italy, the road network of Calabria region in Southern Italy and the electric power network of Sicily again in Italy; in complex infrastructures: a network of hospitals at regional scale and the harbor of Thessaloniki in Greece. A brief description of the case studies is given and their key elements are outlined, including the seismic and geotechnical hazard assessment, the selection of fragility curves and performance indicators, as well as the systemic analysis, the sources of uncertainties, the estimation of socio-economic impacts and finally the interpretation of results.