FEATURES OF THE MASONRY WALL EXISTING STREETS OR PATHS EXTENDED AROUND REFUSE AREAS WHERE THE NIIGATAKEN CHUETSU-OKI EARTHQUAKE IN 2007 HAS HIT

—In case of the center area in Kashiwazaki-city—

Abstract

Some streets, lanes and paths extended around the refuse areas were surveyed right after big earthquake has hit. Several common situations are detailed and many defects due to construction error are disclosed. Through the survey, some findings for studying how to cope with the situation in existing masonry walls and gateposts were obtained. Collapse of reinforced masonry walls due to heavy quake could be a widely noticed problem all over the local community area.