Abstract
Twenty-one years have passed since the Southern Hyogo Prefecture Earthquake occurred in January 1995. This report is the result of investigation on changes in building structure and exterior materials for 20 years right after the earthquake to date with the investigated area narrowed down. Earthquake disaster was more frequently observed in former earthquake-resistant buildings constructed before 1981. In residences in Maeda-cho, Ashiya-shi, the area investigated for this report, buildings that were subject to any damage accounted for 85%. When the earthquake hit the area, two-storied wooden houses, mortar exterior walls, and Japanese tile roofing predominated but the investigation made on reconstruction one year after the earthquake indicated the increase of pre-fabricated houses, metal exterior walls, and metal roofing, which could be attributed to the influence of temporary housing. In comparison between after the earthquake and after 20 years, wooden houses have decreased and slate-based roofing, and ceramic siding for exterior walls have increased. Based on the recent investigation results and current housing trends, development of light and highly durable exterior building material and efficient and highly disaster-resistant construction methods is desired.
