Damage analysis of stone walls of Kumamoto castle due to the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake

Abstract

Damage of stone walls of Kumamoto castle caused by the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake is investigated and the mechanisms of deformation, failure and collapse of the walls are discussed. 3-dimensional geometry of the walls were measured by 3D laser scanner and the deformation of the walls were analyzed by comparing with the previous measurement results before the earthquake and traditional shape of stone walls described in ancient documents. The profiles of the walls measured by 3D laser scanner clearly showed the unnatural shape of the stone walls. This unnatural shape of the stone walls can be observed even in the stone walls which was saved from the collapse. In the future, the evaluation of the safety/stability of the masonry walls is important for the restoration and 3D digital data obtained by 3D laser scanning technique will be useful.