Journal of Natural Disaster Science

EVALUATION OF THE DAMAGE TO WOODEN HOUSES CAUSED BY THE 1978 OFF-MIYAGI PREFECTURE EARTHQUAKE

Yutaka OSAWA
Professor, Earthquake Research Institute, University of Tokyo, Tokyo
Kaio OSADA
Research Associate, Earthquake Research Institute, University of Tokyo, Tokyo
Yih-Duen CHOW
Department of Structural Design, Nihon Architects, Engineers & Consultants, Inc., Tokyo
and
Tadao MINAMI
Associate Professor, Earthquake Research Institute, University of Tokyo, Tokyo

(Received 5 Dec., 1985 and in revised form 16 June, 1986)

Abstract

To establish a useful damage estimation method, we estimated the damage done to wooden houses by the 1978 Off-Miyagi Prefecture earthquake and compared it to the actual damage observed after the earthquake. Our estimation was made using current soil dynamics and response analysis techniques, as well as the results of microtremor measurements, and boring and seismic prospecting data. Satisfactory agreement was obtained for the estimated and observed damage done to wooden houses. The close relation between the soil layer at a particular site and the resulting structural damage in that area is discussed.

Key words

microtremor, estimation of damage, wooden houses, 1978 Off-Miyagi Prefecture earthquake, soil-layer model