IMPACT OF HANSHIN/AWAJI EARTHQUAKE ON SEISMIC DESIGN AND SEISMIC STRENGTHENING OF HIGHWAY BRIDGES

Abstract

The Hanshin/Awaji Earthquake (Hyogo-ken Nanbu Earthquake) of January 17, 1995 caused destructive damage to highway bridges. Obviously this was the first experience to suffer such destructive damage since the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake. Various tentative measures were taken for seismic design of repair and reconstruction of highway bridges which suffered damage due to the earthquake. This paper summarizes the damage feature of high way bridges and a series of actions taken for seismic design and seismic strengthening of highway bridges in about half year since the earthquake.