An Estimation Method of Train Suspension Periods due to Earthquake

Abstract

Case histories of train suspension due to earthquake are compiled from the past four Earthquakes: the 1995 Kobe Earthquake, the 2004 Niigata-ken Chuetsu Earthquake, the 2007 Niigata-ken Chuetsuoki Earthquake and the 2011 Great Tohoku Earthquakes. Relationships between train suspension periods and some factors on the damage are examined. The results indicate that train suspension period of each section depends on factors such as damage level, type of damaged structure, earthquake type, and seismic intensity. Based on the results, models are constructed to estimate train suspension period of each railway section. An estimation method of train suspension periods is proposed by combining the models and seismic vulnerability functions of railway structures. As an example of estimation by this method, train suspension periods of railway lines due to the M7.3 Tokyo Earthquake are estimated in the eastern part of Tokyo. The results indicate that that difference of structure type causes the difference of train suspension periods at different lines.