In this research, databases related to building attributes and disaster rescue, field test data are constructed. Data mining is used for the evaluation of building damage due to liquefaction. With the application of Web-GIS, an interactive inquiry system, updating system of building investigation data, disaster rescue information networks are developed.
Due to the liquefaction of soils, lots of building damages and related casualties were observed during the Chi-Chi earthquake of Taiwan in 1999. Therefore, it is important to study the impact of soil liquefaction on the seismic performance of buildings. This study focuses on Yuanlin area. The factors to cause building damage in liquefaction area are induced through reference review.
The Luzon Earthquake of 1990 caused soil liquefaction in a widespread area that in turn caused crucial damage to various structures. Tokimatsu et al. (1994) describe damage patterns of buildings in Dagupan City where fine to silty sands liquefied extensively. The extent of damage is classified into one of four categories from A to D. Category A correspond to a site in the nonliquefied area with no structural damage, category B to a site near the boundary separating liquefied from nonliquefied zone with no structural damage, and category C and D to sites on the liquefied area with considerable structural damage(average settlements of reinforced concrete buildings are less than 50 cm) and with vital structural damage (average settlements of reinforced concrete buildings are greater than 50 cm), respectively. At sites in categories A and B, the thickness of liquefied layer is less than 3 m. In contrast, at sites in categories C and D, it is greater than 3 m. Besides, the thickness of liquefied layer tends to increase with increasing extent of damage to buildings.
