Numerical Analysis-Based Vulnerability Assessmentfor Timber Houses Considering Debris Flow Depth

Abstract

This study assessed the vulnerabilities of timber houses to debris flows based on the numerical analysis for typical two-story timber houses in order to discuss possibilities of vertical evacuation in the houses during debris flow disasters. Pushover analysis was performed to the models of three houses to obtain the lateral load capacity. Lateral loads of debris flows were calculated using the formulas for tsunami inundation. The results of the comparisons between the capacities and debris flow loads show that the houses were not collapsed for the debris flow depth of 0.7 m, but the houses would probably collapse for the depth in excess of 1.0 m. We also confirmed that the relationship obtained in this study almost agree with those obtained from the previous debris flow and tsunami disasters.