The Earthquake Engineering Online Archive

Geotechnical reconnaissance of the effects of the January 17, 1995, Hyogoken-Nanbu earthquake, Japan

Sitar, Nicholas

UCB/EERC-95/01, Earthquake Engineering Research Center, University of California, Berkeley, 1995-08, 151 pages (705.62/1995K/G46)

Immediately following the Hyogoken-Nanbu earthquake, it became apparent that the Kobe-Osaka region held many similarities in its geologic and tectonic setting to many areas along the West Coast and, possibly, other areas of the United States. Therefore, a geotechnical reconnaissance to identify the relevant problems and issues was organized under the auspices of the Siting and Geotechnical Systems Earthquake Hazard Mitigation Program of the Engineering Directorate of the National Science Foundation. The mission of the reconnaissance team was to provide a timely, first-hand overview of the type and extent of the geotechnical aspects of the damage, and to provide the necessary background information for future research and for U.S.-Japan cooperation in geotechnical earthquake engineering. Topics covered include geoscience and strong motions; liquefaction and related effects; performance of improved ground sites; performance of dams and levees; lifeline systems; and slopes, retaining structures, and landfills.

Available online: http://library.eerc.berkeley.edu/archives/kobe/EERC-95-01/