Collapse Mechanism of Graves during 1995 Kobe Earthquake using Physics-based Simulation

Abstract

Collapse mechanism of graves due to earthquake was investigated using 3-D DEM. Five Japense-type and five European-type graves with different width-height-ratios were analyzed. Acceleration record obverved in 1995 Hyogoken nanbu earthquake was used as input ground motions changing its peak ground acceleration from 100gal to 1000gal. Compared with Japanese-type, European-type graves are found to have higher earthquake-resistance. Collapse mechanism of Japanese-type graves is rocking collapse, where the width-height ratio is dominant. Graves with smaller width-height-ratio have higher earthquake-resistance. Collapse mechanism of European-type graves is sliding collapse where the width-height-ratio is not critical. We should take measures to prevent grave stones from falling down.