Existing housing stock in Japan and past performance during earthquakes
Much of the existing housing stock in Japan is wooden. According to the World Housing Encyclopedia, in 1993, 68.1% of housing units were wooden, but this has decreased with newer construction. Much of the existing housing stock is load-bearing timber frame post and beam construction. Lateral loads are resisted by shear walls. Diagonal bracing is uncommon […]
Overview of Damage to Housing
On April 14, 2016, an M6.2 earthquake occurred near Ueki, Japan, followed by an M7.0 in the early hours of April 15, 2016 near Kumamoto-shi, Japan. There have been numerous aftershocks. Figure 1. The town of Mashiki, 15 km from Kumamoto city, was hit hard by the M6.2, with reports of 9 dead and […]
Sheltering following the 19 September 2017 Mexico Earthquake
A 7.1 magnitude earthquake hit Mexico on September 19, 2017, about 76 miles away from Mexico City, leaving over 300 people dead. [FOX] The earthquake caused building to sway and panicked office workers to run into the streets. Mexican media reported several collapsed buildings in parts of Mexico city and nearby Cuernavaca. The U.S. Geological Survey said […]