Reconnaissance Report of 0512 China Wenchuan Earthquake on Bridges

Abstract eng:
On May 12, 2008 at 14:28 local time, an MS8.0 earthquake struck the Sichuan Province, China. Millions of houses were destroyed and damaged, leaving approximately 4.5 million people homeless. The government reported around 69,200 dead (18,000 still missing) and 374,000 injured. Following the earthquake, the civil engineers of Taiwan immediately dispatched a team to the affected region on May 27th to collect information about structural and geotechnical damages as well as to provide helpful information for seismic assessment, retrofitting and rebuild planning. We may be the first reconnaissance team to reach the damaged area nearest to the epicenter to survey the schools, hospitals, residential buildings, landslides and bridges. From 27th May to 2nd June, we visited the area of Chengdu, Dujiangyan, Pongzhou, Shiaoyudong, Mianzhu, Zhiulong, Wudu, Hanwang, Hsuanko, Yingxiu (epicenter) and Highway 213. More than 5000 photos were taken to document the damages this catastrophic earthquake had made. This information should help us in preparation of disaster mitigation plan. This paper will focus on the damages on different types of bridges including simple support, arch and continuous elements. We would also like to take this opportunity to express our condolence for those who suffered from this earthquake. It is hoped that the information shared herein could help the community in making a safer society in the future.

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