SURVEY ON MASONRY WALLS DAMAGED BY THE EARTHQUAKE THAT HIT MIYAGI PREFECTURE AREA AT JULY 2003(Materials and Construction)

Abstract

Collapse of reinforced masonry walls due to heavy quake followed by a big earthquake is a widely noticed problem all over the local community area. A follow-up survey for collapsed masonry walls is therefore of great importance. Such a practical survey was performed right after big earthquake that hit Miyagi-prefecture area at 26 July 2003. Through the survey, many findings for studying how to cope with the situation in existing masonry walls and gateposts were obtained. Several common situations are detailed and many defects due to construction error are disclosed.