A Report on Large Roof Structures Damaged by the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake

Abstract

“The Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake” brought about the worst earthquake disaster in the past seventy years in Japan. Heavy damage to many and various structures was brought about. In this emergency many large roof spaces were converted as temporary refuge spaces for numerous refugees. Light weight large roof structures could mostly safely survive. However there were a few large span roof structures which were heavily damaged. In this report an overview of the earthquake is given and results of investigations of damage to large roof structures are reported. Some remarks on typical damage to large roof buildings, including damage to non-structural elements, are illustrated.