Performance of Transportation Infrastructure During Kumamoto Earthquakes of April 14 and 16, 2016\u2014 A Reconnaissance Report

Abstract

DTFH61-07-00031This report described a reconnaissance effort to document bridge performance during the Kumamoto earthquakes in Japan in April 2016. More than 180 bridges were damaged by these earthquakes. Of particular interest is the performance of bridges that were relatively new (15\u201320 yr old) or recently retrofitted. Damage sustained was significant and included bearing and shear key failures, distortion and local buckling of the steel superstructures, and foundation movement. Most of the damage could be attributed to extensive slope failures and intense shaking close to the causative fault. Recommendations for improving bridge performance in future earthquakes are given