Damage to the Highway System from the Pisco, Peru Earthquake of August 15, 2007

Keywords: Pisco, Peru earthquake, August 15, 2007.  Damage assessments.  Highway infrastructure.  Reconnaissance reports.  Seismic performance.  Pan-American Highway.  Liquefaction.  Slope failures.  Lateral displacement.  Shear cracking.  Piers.  Rockfalls.  Boulders.

Abstract: This damage assessment report is the product of a field investigation undertaken in September 2007 after the M 8.0 August 15, 2007 Pisco, Perú earthquake. It provides a brief description of the event and the consequential damage to the highway system. It relies heavily on government reports issued immediately after the event, including investigations from leaders in Perú’s academia, and the authors’ field observations. The report’s purpose is to document the performance of structures designed according to AASHTO specifications and to help assess the adequacy of the standards used at the time of construction.