Long-period strong motions (> 0.9 second) are simulated in the Kobe area for the mainshock (1/17/95) and the aftershock (2/2/95) of the Hyogoken-Nanbu (Kobe) earthquake. In order to model ground motions in the realistic and highly heterogeneous basin structure, an unstructured 3D FEM (Finite Element Method) is used, which runs efficiently on parallel computers. The simulation results show stron...

As demonstrated in recent disasters such as the 1994 Northridge and 1995 Hyogoken-Nanbu (Kobe) earthquakes, urban areas can suffer potentially large economic losses when highway transportation systems are damaged in seismic events. This paper addresses the development of performance measures for highway systems that are suitable for estimating the economic impact of earthquake damage. Economic ...

9 Figure 1 The locations of the 1995 Kobe earthquake and the four other large intraplate earthquakes (Nobi, Tango, Tottori, and Fukui) in Japan since 1890. The mechanisms for the Tango, Tottori and Fukui earthquakes are also shown. The base map showing the Quaternary faults in the region is taken from Huzita (1980) and modified. M.T. is the Median Tectonic Line. Daishinsai (A major earthquake d...

This paper presents a statistical analysis of structural fragility curves. Both empirical and analytical fragility curves are considered. The empirical fragility curves are developed utilizing bridge damage data obtained from the 1995 Hyogo-ken Nanbu (Kobe) earthquake. The analytical fragility curves are constructed on the basis of the nonlinear dynamic analysis. Two-parameter lognormal distrib...

This paper introduces the damage statistics of reinforced concrete buildings after the 1985 Mexico Earthquake, the 1990 Ruzon (Philippines) Earthquake, the 1992 Erzincan (Turkey) Earthquake, and the 1995 Hyogo-ken Nanbu (Kobe) Earthquake. These data were obtained in severely damaged areas in each earthquake through the inventory damage investigation of the Architectural Institute of Japan teams...

thin-walled hollow steel columns, either circular or box shaped, are commonly used as piers in bridges. recent earthquakes, e.g. hyogoken-nanbu or kobe 1995, on the other hand have shown that these columns are vulnerable to damage when subjected to earthquake loading. this paper presents a new innovative thin-walled hollow steel column fabricated of corrugated plates, “thin-walled steel columns...