Open Source Software: MASTODON: Pioneering Multi-Hazard Analysis for Critical Infrastructure

In an era where the resilience of critical infrastructure against natural disasters is paramount, MASTODON stands out as a beacon of innovation. This cutting-edge software tool offers a comprehensive solution for modeling stochastic nonlinear soil-structure interactions (NLSSI), bringing a new level of sophistication to dynamic probabilistic risk assessments.

The increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters, coupled with the critical need to safeguard infrastructure, necessitated the development of a robust modeling tool. MASTODON was conceived to meet this challenge, offering detailed simulations of how structures like nuclear facilities, dams, and bridges respond to external hazards, including seismic events.

MASTODON, built upon the powerful MOOSE framework, excels in the numerical modeling of seismic soil-structure interaction. It uniquely combines structural dynamics, time integration, dynamic porous media flow, nonlinear hysteretic soil constitutive models, and geometric nonlinearities (such as gapping, sliding, and uplift). MASTODON's capability to simulate nonlinear seismic wave propagation from earthquake fault rupture to a structure's response—and the soil surrounding it—sets a new benchmark in risk assessment tools.

Advantages:

• Advanced NLSSI Modeling: Offers comprehensive simulations incorporating dynamic probabilistic risk assessments.
• Multi-Hazard Risk Calculations: Enables precise risk analysis for critical infrastructure against multiple hazards.
• Nonlinear Seismic Wave Propagation: Simulates the entire process from earthquake fault rupture to structural response with high fidelity.
• Quantification of Uncertainty: Enhances the reliability of risk assessments by accurately quantifying uncertainties.
• MOOSE-Based Master Application: Leverages the MOOSE framework for unparalleled computational efficiency and flexibility.

Applications:

• Nuclear Facilities: Ensures the safety and resilience of nuclear power plants and related facilities.
• Critical Infrastructure: Protects vital structures such as dams and bridges from catastrophic failure due to external hazards.
• Dynamic PRA of External Hazards: Facilitates dynamic probabilistic risk assessments for various external threats.

Discover how MASTODON can transform the safety and resilience of your critical infrastructure. Visit our GitHub to learn more about its groundbreaking capabilities and to download the software for a comprehensive evaluation.