Descriptive design structure matrices for modelling infrastructure interdependencies in community recovery

Abstract

Interdependencies between infrastructure sectors impact the recovery of communities in the post-disaster period. These interdependencies give rise to multiple feedback loops that drive and constrain recovery. Community leaders tasked with developing a recovery plan must allocate limited resources over time among numerous interacting sectors that need assistance. However, the interdependencies make it difficult to size and sequence the needs. A Descriptive Design Structure Matrix (DDSM) was developed to understand the impacts of community interactions on recovery and resourcing. The DDSM's simple, logical descriptions of infrastructure interactions help identify recovery bottlenecks. Community interactions were analyzed using Cambridge Advanced Modeler. Governance, Electric Power, Commerce, Road Transportation, and Workforce Population were identified as the five most critical sectors that interact with each other to form a core set of causal feedback loops for recovery. The DDSM model can complement existing resource allocation methodologies by providing a systematic and structured approach to sequence resources for a quick recovery from disasters.