The Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake of January 17, 1995: Performance of Lifelines

Keywords: Kobe, Japan earthquake, January 17, 1995.  Hanshin-Awaji, Japan earthquake, January 17, 1995.  Hyogo-ken Nanbu, Japan earthquake, January 17, 1995.  Lifelines.  Seismic performance.  Damage.  Post earthquake investigations.  Electrical power systems.  Gas delivery systems.  Telecommunications systems.  Water Systems.  Sewage systems.  Seismological aspects.  Hospital buildings.  Airports.  Shut off valves.  Highway bridges.

Abstract: This report describes the damage to lifelines caused by the 1995  Hanshin-Awaji (Kobe) earthquake in Japan.  It begins with a summary  of the earthquake's seismological characteristics which is followed  by separate chapters that focus on the performance of lifelines in  the affected region.  In order of presentation, individual chapters  discuss the damage to: 1) electric power networks; 2) gas delivery  systems; 3) hospitals (considered as a system composed of  building/architectural components, as well as communication and  support systems); 4) telecommunication systems; 5) transportation systems; and 6) water supply systems and wastewater systems.  The  transportation section includes three subsections: airport     facilities, highways and bridges, and underground rapid transit systems.  For each lifeline, an overview of the system is given,     indicating the owner/operator, the location and extent of the service area, the number of households and industrial/commercial    customers served.  In addition to descriptions of the individual system, design criteria for the physical components of the individual systems are provided, including a comparison of the differences between the US and Japanese systems.  The performance of each lifeline system is discussed with reference to seismic damage, emergency response, service interruption and restoration.  (Adapted from authors' abstract).