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Casualty occurrence mechanism in the collapse of timber‐frame houses during an earthquake
Author(s) -
Kiyono Junji,
Furukawa Aiko
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
earthquake engineering and structural dynamics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.218
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1096-9845
pISSN - 0098-8847
DOI - 10.1002/eqe.402
Subject(s) - structural engineering , roof , frame (networking) , engineering , acceleration , mechanism (biology) , geology , physics , mechanical engineering , quantum mechanics , classical mechanics
The collapse of timber‐frame houses during an earthquake was analyzed by the 2‐dimensional (2D) and 3‐dimensional (3D) distinct element methods (DEM). The DEM is a numerical analysis technique in which positions of elements are calculated by solving equations of motion step by step. Both individual and group behavior can be simulated. The structure is modeled as an assembly of distinct elements connected by virtual springs and dashpots where elements come into contact. A timber‐frame house with simple structural elements; beams, columns, floors, and a roof, was modeled. Injury to human bodies also was considered. Human bodies modeled as circles (2D) or rectangular parallelepipeds (3D) were placed on its floors. The maximum impact acceleration on the human body during an earthquake was calculated. Injury to humans in houses was assessed by the Chest‐G index and Head Injury Criteria (HIC) widely used in automobile engineering. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.