Title: Lessons on Seismic Rehabilitation of Concrete Buildings Learned From Recent Earthquakes

Author(s): Shunsuke Sugano

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 296

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 1-16

Keywords: building, earthquake, functional, life safety, seismic performance, seismic rehabilitation

DOI: 10.14359/51686884

Date: 3/6/2014

Abstract:
The main objective of this paper is to discuss the validity of seismic rehabilitation of concrete buildings in Japan based on the review of the behavior of seismically rehabilitated buildings during recent earthquakes. First, the state of seismic rehabilitation of concrete buildings is introduced. It is described that the seismic rehabilitation has been strongly promoted since 1) the enactment of the Law for Promotion of Seismic Rehabilitation of Existing Buildings in 1995 and 2) the declaration of the ten-year promotion plan of seismic rehabilitation as the government policy in 2005. Second, the behavior of rehabilitated buildings during recent earthquakes is introduced. It is described that 1) there were some insufficiencies in the early practice of seismic rehabilitation due to the lack of available guidelines, 2) the case of a rehabilitated building in Kobe that survived the 1995 Kobe Earthquake without any damage verified the validity of seismic rehabilitation, and 3) extensive nonstructural damage may result in the loss of building function, therefore, the target performance of “functional” may not be satisfied even if the performance of “life safety” is satisfied. Third, the behavior of un-rehabilitated local government buildings during the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake is introduced. It is described that 1) extensive nonstructural damage may lead to shut down of the building even if structural damage is minor, 2) vulnerable essential buildings should be rehabilitated to satisfy the performance of “functional” as well as the performance of “life safety” and 3) essential building should be rehabilitated with highest priority.