The Great Hanshin Earthquake Disaster and Buildings in Okinawa

Around 5:46 a.m. on the 17th of January, a large earthquake measuring 7.2 on the Richter Scale hit the western part of Japan. The highest intensity and most severe damage concentrated in the southern Hyogo Prefecture. The earthquake resulted in 5,502 casualties, 34,626 injuries, and 159,544 damaged buildings. More than 300,000 people went to the emergency shelters. Damage to lifeline facilities caused interruption of gas, water, electricity and telecommunications. All railway services stopped. The damage to buildings, lifeline facilities and major infrastructure shocked engineers, planners and the general public. The author went to Kobe City three times to observe buildings that were designed for earthquake resistance and that were damaged or collapsed during this earthquake. There are a few serious problems in buildings in Okinawa. They are a seismic load level for the seismically designed buildings, damage due to chloride attack on reinforced concrete structures and pilotis in architecture. An investigation of earthquake damaged buildings or buildings that suffered no damage in Kobe City is presented in this report. Also, emphasis is made on ways to improve the seismic design and considering durability effects of buildings in Okinawa