THE NORTHRIDGE, CALIFORNIA EARTHQUAKE OF JANUARY 17, 1994: PERFORMANCE OF GAS TRANSMISSION PIPELINES

Abstract

This reconnaissance report provides a performance analysis of gas transmission pipelines during the 1994 Northridge earthquake in California and a number of previous California earthquakes. Past earthquakes include: (1) Long Beach, 1933; (2) Kern County, 1952 and 1954; (3) San Fernando, 1971; and (4) Imperial Valley, 1979. For each earthquake, the report provides a summary of its general seismological features, particularly its ground motion duration and intensity, followed by a review of both ground failures caused by the earthquake, and the performance of gas pipelines subject to varying local ground conditions and seismically induced forces. The report provides detailed observations on the causes and characteristics of failure of older oxy-acetylene welds, as well as observations on the generally greater resiliency of post-WWII welds made using electric arc techniques.