The performance of reinforced earth structures in the vicinity of Kobe during the Great Hanshin Earthquake

The Great Hanshin Earthquake caused widespread damage on 17th January, 1995, particularly in the Kobe area. The magnitude was measured at 7.2 on the Richter scale and the seismic intensity reached 7. Maximum horizontal ground accelerations greater than 0.8g and vertical accelerations greater than 0.4g were recorded. More than 120 Reinforced Earth structures were inspected, which were close to the main fault line. Of these, 70% were higher than 5 metres. The damage to the Reinforced Earth structures was minimal. Only 8% showed minor cracking of isolated concrete panels and 2% demonstrated some relatively minor movement of the structure. No structures failed. Inspections of the Reinforced Earth structures have confirmed their strength and flexibility. Pseudo-static analyses of selected structures has indicated that present design methods may be very conservative as the structures were likely to have withstood conditions greatly in excess of their design condition.