Structural damage to houses and buildings induced by liquefaction in the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake, Japan

Abstract

Abstract Background In April 2016, Kumamoto City, Japan, and its surroundings were hit by a sequence of strong and devastating earthquakes including two significant events, one on April 14th, 2016, at 21:26 JST (Mw6.2) and the other on April 16th, 2016, at 01:25 JST (Mw7.0). These disasters caused 120 fatalities (including indirect fatalities), 2337 people injured and 177,914 residential houses were damaged. This paper aims to ascertain the damage to residential houses and buildings caused by liquefaction during this earthquake and suggests possible mitigation methods. Results Field reconnaissance was conducted in the target area on May 27th–30th, 2016. The post-earthquake inclination angle and the tilt direction of 68 affected houses and buildings in the liquefied sites in Kumamoto City were measured by using a laser rangefinder (Leica DISTO D 510). Ground structure and condition were also determined from topographic maps, bore data and the calculated liquefaction resistance factor, FL. Conclusions Based on this investigation, the inclination angle of the houses in the target area seems to be related to the type of building structure and their foundation as well to the local ground composition. The tilt direction has a tendency to be associated with the location of the nearby river. The results presented could be useful to develop future liquefaction mitigation measures for detached residential houses.

Keywords

• The 2016 Kumamoto earthquake
• Liquefaction
• Field investigation
• Residential houses and building damage
• Inclination angle