Seismic Risk Assessment of Water and Gas Pipeline Networks: Bibliometric Analysis and Systematic Review

Abstract

Water and gas pipeline networks are critical components of urban infrastructure, yet they are extremely vulnerable to seismic activities, which can cause significant physical damage and disrupt essential services. Despite extensive research on seismic risk assessment of these pipeline systems since the 1980s, a comprehensive review on current approaches for seismic risk evaluation, mitigation strategies, and postearthquake recovery in existing buried pipelines to identify their strengths, limitations, and key challenges is lacking. The present work implements a framework of bibliometric analysis and systematic review to analyze the findings from a literature review of seismic risk assessment of water and gas pipeline networks over the past decade (2015–2025). Bibliometric analysis of research trends, keyword co-occurrence patterns, coauthorship network, citation structure, and geographic distribution of publications was performed on 183 eligible studies retrieved from major academic databases such as Web of Science, Engineering Village-Compendex, and Engineering Village-Inspec to identify key research trends, dominant themes, collaborative networks, and influential works. In addition, a systematic review incorporating content analysis and qualitative synthesis was conducted to comprehensively evaluate current approaches, hazards, mitigation strategies, and research challenges related to seismic risk assessment in buried pipeline networks. To ensure transparency and methodological robustness, this systematic review was conducted following the 2020 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Although considerable progress has been made, there are still key gaps in the seismic risk assessment of pipeline networks, including a limited focus on gas systems and inadequate consideration of secondary hazards such as liquefaction and slope movement. Postearthquake fire hazards and real-time decision-making frameworks are also underexplored. To improve the resilience and safety of urban pipeline infrastructure, these gaps should be addressed. The findings of this study are anticipated to have a significant value on risk assessment tool development, emergency response planning, and policymaking for enhancing the seismic resilience of water and gas pipeline networks.