Journal of Natural Disaster Science

QUICK REPORT OF MAIN DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE 1995 HYOGO-KEN NAMBU EARTHQUAKE

Shiro TAKADA
Professor, Civil Engineering Department, Kobe University, Kobe
Nemat HASSANI
Graduate Student, Department of Science & Technology, Kobe University, Kobe
and
Mostafa ABDEL-AZIZ
Graduate Student, Department of Science & Technology, Kobe University, Kobe

(Received 23 February, 1995 and in revised form 28 May, 1995)

Abstract

A general view of the most important modes of damage done to the ground, buildings and civil structures (transportation and lifeline systems) during the Jan. 17, 1995 Hyogo-ken nambu earthquake is presented. A significant vertical shock followed by a horizontal shock was the main seismological feature, Liquefaction was the main mode of ground failure. Collapse of a great number of old wooden houses, shear failure of the middle floors of concrete buildings, and the first floor collapse of a large number of concrete and steel buildings in the frame direction were the main modes of damage to buildings. The weak performance of concrete support columns designed under the old construction code was the most important type of damage done to the transportation system. Liquefaction and permanent ground displacement caused most of damage to the lifeline systems and underground tunnels which performed weakly in their joint parts.

Key words

Hyogo-ken nambu earthquake, vertical shock, ground failure, damage, buildings, transportation system, lifeline systems