DAMAGE TO HOUSES AND BUILDINGS INDUCED BY LIQUEFACTION IN THE 2016 KUMAMOTO EARTHQUAKES IN JAPAN

Abstract

 At 21:26 JST on April 14, 2016, an M_w 6.2 earthquake struck Kumamoto city in Kyushu, Japan. Around twenty eight hours later, at 01:25 JST, an M_w 7.0 stronger earthquake occurred, in the same area. Field investigation and inspection were conducted to study an effect of inclination of the house due to liquefaction to health problems of residents. An overview of liquefaction triggered by the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes is presented, based on our reconnaissance investigations that conducted on May 27 - 30, 2016 in Kumamoto City and vicinity area. The tilt angle of 68 houses and buildings in liquefied sites of Kumamoto city was measured. Based on the measurements, the degree of inclination is seem to be related to the type of the houses and buildings. Furthermore, the tilt direction of the houses and buildings has a tendency associated with direction of old river slope. In addition, it is also found that the tilt direction of the houses and buildings is related to the terrain as well.